Serum Nitric Oxide Levels in Smokers with Chronic Periodontitis (original) (raw)

Smoking is a major risk factor for periodontal diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in vascular tone regulation and is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare serum levels of NO in healthy controls, smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis. A total of 90 subjects were divided into 3 equal groups of 30 control patients, 30 non-smokers with chronic periodontitis and 30 smokers with chronic periodontitis. Periodontal disease status was determined by recording probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Serum nitric oxide activity was estimated using Griess colorimetric reactions. The results were compared and statistically analyzed using ANOVA. The mean NO levels in serum were found to be highest in smokers with periodontitis, followed by the periodontitis group, and then by the healthy controls (88.20±3.95, 82.29±3.54, and 64.69±2.16, μM/L respectively). The values were statistica...