Evaluation of asprosine and apelin levels ingingival crevicular fluid samples of periodontally healthy, with periodontitis and with periodontitis diabetic adults

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of asprosin and apelin adipokines considered to play pivotal roles in diabetes, obesity, and periodontitis in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples obtained from periodontally healthy individuals, patients with periodontitis, and patients with periodontitis and diabetes, and to assess their associations with clinical periodontal parameters. Material and Method: In accordance with the study design, 90 participants were divided into three groups, each consisting of 30 individuals. Systemically healthy and periodontally healthy subjects constituted group 1, systemically healthy individuals with periodontitis constituted group 2, and patients with both diabetes and periodontitis constituted group 3. For each participant, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured and recorded. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected from each subject using Periopaper strips and analyzed by the ELISA method. Results: GCF apelin levels were similar among the healthy, periodontitis, and periodontitis+DM groups and were not statistically significant. Periodontal clinical index values were lowest in the healthy group (p<0.001). CAL values were highest in the periodontitis+DM group (p=0.012). GCF volume was lowest in the healthy group and this difference was significant (p<0.001). There was an inverse correlation between GCF volume and apelin concentration (rs = –0.39; p <0.001). An ELISA kit (Elabscience® Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) was used to determine GCF asprosin levels. Since the GCF asprosin values obtained in our study were below the standard calibration curve of the Elabscience® kit (Figure 16), the ELISA reader results could not be converted into numerical values. Therefore, no statistical analysis could be performed regarding the asprosin hormone. Conclusion: GCF apelin levels did not differ significantly among the study groups. The inverse correlation between apelin concentration and GCF volume, an indirect indicator of local inflammation, may reflect a relationship with local inflammatory status. These findings suggest that GCF apelin levels alone have limited clinical value in distinguishing individuals with periodontitis+DM. Nevertheless, these results contribute to understanding the relationship between metabolic conditions and periodontal inflammation. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to clarify the origin and regulation of apelin in periodontal tissues and to determine its potential role as a biomarker or therapeutic target. Key Words: Apelin, Asprosin, Diabetes, GCF, Periodontitis