In this systematic review, a comprehensive search across three databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus) yielded a total of 17 studies. Following the removal of duplicates, a pool of seven studies remained for further scrutiny. These studies were then meticulously evaluated against the predefined eligibility and inclusion criteria, with the process and outcomes detailed by the updated PRISMA guidelines, as illustrated in [Fig 1].
For efficient reference management and duplicate elimination, the EndNote Basic Software (Thomson Reuters, New York, NY) was utilized. Six meta-analyses were done to get a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between GCF adipocytokine levels and CP with T2DM.
In all the six meta-analyses a random effect model was applied due to the presence of high heterogeneity.
There was a nonsignificant (p=0.59) reduction in the adipocytokine level after NSPT(Fig2) with a Standard Mean Difference(SMD) of 0.25995% CI, -0.66-1.15) and an I2 value of 90% indicating an increased heterogeneity in the studies.
The experimental group (Fig 3) showed a highly significant reduction in GCF levels of adipocytokines after NSPT (p<0.00001). The heterogeneity of studies was high indicated by the I2 value of 97%.In addition to this, we analyzed the periodontal clinical parameters with respect to NSPT.
The Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Plaque Index(PI), Gingival Index(GI), and Periodontal Probing Depth(PPD) levels were significantly reduced after NSPT as evident in figures 4-7.
The analysis of CAL (Fig 4) reveals SMD of 2.58 ( 95% CI:1.22-3.95) and I2 of 93% indicating a high heterogeneity of the studies included.
The analysis of PI (Fig 5) reveals SMD of -5.42 ( 95% CI:-7.5to -3.33) and I2 of 90% also indicating a high heterogeneity of the studies included.
The analysis of GI (Fig 6) reveals SMD of -3.51 ( 95% CI:-5.08 to-1.94) and I2 of 93%.
The analysis of PPD(Fig 7) reveals SMD of -3.20 ( 95% CI:-4.66 to-1.74) and I2 of 92%.
GCF sample Collection
Except for the Hiroshima et al. study, which employed the paper strip method, all included investigations used the microcapillary method to extract the GCF.
Confirmatory tests
A commercially available ELISA kit was used in the included studies and the procedure was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. The ELISA test indicated that there is a significant increase in leptin, chemerin, resistin, and visfatin in the GCF of patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and associated type 2 diabetes mellitus. These levels showed a significant decrease after NSPT.
Study characteristics of the seven studies included in the meta-analysis
Ahuja C [10] assessed the influence of non-surgical periodontal therapy on gingival crevicular fluid leptin levels in the study groups of systemically and periodontally healthy patients and CP patients with T2DM. GCF collection was done using the microcapillary pipette. Significant reductions in the clinical parameters were observed after NSPT in all study groups. According to the study, the healthy group had the greatest GCF leptin level, whereas patients having CP with T2DM had the lowest (P < 0.0001). Improved clinical parameters and glycemic status were noted after NSPT. Further, it was observed that there was a significant reduction in the periodontal parameters after NSPT. (p<0.0001)
Dogan SB[14], analyzed the GCF chemerin levels before and after the NSPT. This study evaluated whether GCF chemerin levels could be considered as a predictive biomarker for the healthy as well as patients having CP and T2DM. Patients with T2DM diagnosed at least a year ago were classified as diabetics. NSPT was used to treat patients with CP. GCF sample protocols were carried out both before and after the start of treatment. The ELISA test was used to quantify the amounts of IL-6 and chemerin. Significant differences (P < 0.008) were seen in the GCF chemerin between the healthy control group, and the DM-CP group.
After treatment, GCF chemerin and IL-6 levels declined in the CP groups (P<0.025). The statistically higher levels of clinical parameters were observed among the DM-CP group than in the control group. (p<0.05)
Joshi A [1], in their study, measured the GCF resistin levels in healthy individuals with gingivitis and well-controlled diabetics with CP to determine the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Both groups of subjects received NSPT. Pre and post non-surgical periodontal therapy GCF samples were taken. For the healthy group, the mean GCF resistin score was 1.96 ± 0.67 at baseline and 1.36 ± 0.62 after therapy, respectively. The statistical significance of the mean difference was considerable (P value < 0.001). The mean GCF resistin score for group II (Diabetic patients with CP) was 2.50 ± 0.25 at baseline and 1.93 ± 0.22 after treatment. The reduction in the post-treatment resistin levels was found to be statistically significant (P value < 0.001).
A study by Mishra V [11]aimed to assess and compare the changes in visfatin levels in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) following the administration of NSPT in participants with CP and those with or without managed T2DM. The results showed that Group DM-CP visfatin scores drastically decreased from their pre-treatment values, but the group with healthy subjects showed no change. At the follow-up visit, healthy group scores remained unchanged as previously noted.
Gomathi GD [9] analysed the effect of chemerin on the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and CP, as well as the effect of NSPT on the levels of chemerin in saliva and GCF in patients with periodontitis who had T2DM. This study excluded patients with diabetes mellitus, pregnant or lactating women, those on antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs six months before the study, those who smoke or chew tobacco, alcoholics, patients with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c values < 8%), and those on insulin therapy. The group with periodontitis and T2DM had higher mean GCF chemerin levels compared to the healthy group. Six weeks after root planing, subjects with periodontitis and T2DM had lower GCF chemerin scores.
Wu Y [8] investigated the relationship between visfatin levels in serum and GCF in CP patients with T2DM before and after NSPT. Patients were randomized into two groups: treatment and control. The GCF visfatin concentration was found to be reduced after NSPT. The findings indicated that NSPT can improve glycemic management and reduce visfatin levels in T2DM patients with CP. They suggested that visfatin could be an inflammatory marker for periodontal disorders.
Rode PA [15] investigated the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the resistin gene (RETN) at −420 and +299 sites are associated with resistin levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in periodontally healthy, chronic periodontitis (CP) patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Serum and GCF samples were collected from periodontally healthy and CP with T2DM patients to analyze resistin levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, and clinical parameters were assessed after NSPT. On comparing the pre-and post-levels of resistin in three groups, in the periodontally healthy group, the GCF resistin levels before and after treatment revealed significant differences. It was concluded that in the presence of polymorphisms of RETN at most frequently found loci such as −420 and +299, resistin levels of GCF and serum are almost always seen to be elevated, which reduced after a comprehensive 3 months of nonsurgical periodontal therapy in CP with and without T2DM.