ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM VITAMIN D AND LL-37 LEVELS IN SMOKERS WITH PERIODONTITIS

Abstract

Background and Aims: The expression of LL-37 (the active form of human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides) can be induced by the active form of vitamin D3. We aimed to evaluate the serum vitamin D3 and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) LL-37 levels, and periodontal clinical recordings belonging to smoker and nonsmoker patients who have periodontitis (P). Materials and Methods: 20 periodontally healthy and nonsmoker participants (control, C, mean age; 25.3±1.1), 20 smoker periodontitis patients (P-S, mean age; 42.75±5.67), and 20 non-smoker periodontitis patients (P-NS mean age; 42.7±7.55) were enrolled to this study. Periodontal clinical measurements were recorded, and the blood samples and GCF samples were collected. The levels of GCF LL-37 were analyzed by ELISA, and the serum levels of vitamin D3 were evaluated by HPLC. Results: Total amount and concentration of GCF LL-37 levels were statistically significantly higher in the P groups compared to the C group (p