Estimation of midkine levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid in smokers and non-smokers of chronic gingivitis patients – A clinico-biochemical study

Objectives: To detect the presence of Midkinein serum and gingivalcrevicular fluid (GCF) of healthy non-smokers, chronic gingivitissmokers, and non-smoker individuals and to evaluate the role of Midkinein the progression of gingival inflammation. Materials and Methods: Periodontal clinical parameters examination including gingivalindex, pocket probing depth, clinical attachment level, and collection of GCF and serum was performed on 60 subjects, categorized into three groups with 20 subjects in each group: Group I (healthy non-smokers); Group II (chronic gingivitisnon-smokers), and Group III (chronic gingivitissmokers). GCF and serum were collected from 20 patients of each group. Midkinelevels were estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Midkinewas detected in all samples. The results of this study suggest that mean GCF and serum Midkinelevels were the highest in Group III and varied significantly from those of Groups I and II. Furthermore, GCF and serum Midkinelevels increased proportionally with the progression of inflammation. Conclusion: As the gingival diseaseprogresses, there is a substantial increase of Midkineconcentrations in serum and GCF. Since, Midkinelevels in the GCF and serum correlated positively with clinical parameters, Midkinemay be considered as a “novel biomarker” in disease progression. However, controlled longitudinal studies are required to confirm this possibility.