PURPOSE: Smokeless tobacco-based oral-use products like gutka are popular in India. Gutka usage leads to increased periodontal destruction and inflammation; however, the relevant mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of gutka in periodontitis by examining its effect on the levels of interleukin (IL) 1beta and IL-8 from the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). METHODS: A total of 45 patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty patients with periodontitis (15 gutka chewers [GCP] and 15 nongutka chewers [NGC]) and 15 periodontally healthy controls (HC) were selected. The full-mouth plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and recession (RC) were recorded. The IL-1beta and IL-8 levels in the GCF of all subjects were assessed through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Quantikine). RESULTS: The IL-1beta and IL-8 levels were not significantly higher in the GCP group (IL-1beta, 369.01+/-273.44 microL; IL-8, 205.97+/-196.78 microL) as compared to those in the NGC group (IL-1beta, 195.57+/-96.85 microL; IL-8, 178.61+/-149.35 microL). More gingival RC and loss of attachment was seen among the GCP group (RC: 2.02+/-0.31, P=0.013; CAL: 4.60+/-0.56, P<0.001) than among the NGC group (RC, 1.21+/-1.15; CAL, 3.70+/-0.32); however, PD was deeper among the NGC subjects (P=0.002). PI and GI were significantly higher for the periodontitis group (P<0.001) when compared to the HC, but there was no difference among gutka chewers and non-chewers (P=0.22 and P=0.89). A positive correlation was found between the IL-8 levels and the duration of gutka chewing (r=-0.64, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Gutka chewing leads to increased gingival RC and clinical loss of attachment. There was no effect seen in the proinflammatory cytokine levels in the GCF of gutka users.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; Humans ; India ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta* ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Lobeline ; Mastication ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis* ; Tobacco, Smokeless