Evaluation of Local and Systemic Levels of Interleukin-17, Interleukin-23, and Myeloperoxidase in Response to Periodontal Therapy in Patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis

We aimed to investigate serum and gingival crevicular fluid levels of myeloperoxidase, interleukin-17, and interleukin-23 before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients and compare to those in healthy controls. Interleukin-17, interleukin-23, and myeloperoxidase levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in gingival crevicular fluid and serum samples taken from 19 systemically healthy generalized aggressive periodontitis patients and 22 healthy controls. In addition, the levels of IL-17, IL-23, and myeloperoxidase were reassessed at 3 months after periodontal therapy in the generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) group. Periodontal clinical parameters were also evaluated at baseline and 3 months post-therapy. The investigated molecule levels in serum decreased significantly at 3 months as a result of the therapy (p = 0.014 for IL-17, p = 0.000 for IL-23, and p = 0.001 for myeloperoxidase (MPO)). Significant reductions were also observed in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) IL-17, IL-23, and MPO levels at 3 months after therapy (p = 0.000 for all molecules). However, the GCF levels of IL-17, IL-23, and MPO in GAP patients were still higher than those in the controls at 3 months (p = 0.001). A significant decrease in the local and systemic levels of IL-17, IL-23, and MPO based on the therapy might indicate the role of these mediators for tissue destruction in periodontal tissues.