Estimation of "regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES/CCL 5) levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal health, disease, and after treatment": A clinico-biochemical study

Background: The aim of the present study was to estimate the regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with clinically healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis and after initial periodontal therapy, i.e., scaling and root planing (SRP) in the periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: Periodontal examination and collection of GCF by extracrevicular method and serum were performed in sixty patients selected randomly and categorized into four groups as Group I (healthy, n = 20), Group II (gingivitis, n = 20), Group III (chronic periodontitis, n = 20) and Group IV (after treatment group, n = 20). SRP was performed and GCF and serum were collected initially and after 12 weeks of treatment. RANTES levels were estimated in GCF and serum samples by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The results of the study suggest that mean concentrations of RANTES in GCF and serum were highest in chronic periodontitis group (Group III) and it differs significantly from that of Groups I, II, and IV. Further, the concentrations of RANTES in GCF and serum increase proportionally with progression of periodontal disease and decrease after SRP. Conclusion: The mean concentrations of RANTES in diseased group were significantly higher than in healthy and after treatment groups. These data indicate that the high GCF and serum levels of RANTES are at significantly greater risk for progression of periodontitis. However, controlled, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this possibility