EFECTOS DE LA APLICACIÓN TÓPICA DE MELATONINA EN PACIENTES DIABÉTICOS CON ENFERMEDAD PERIODONTAL.

Artículo extraído de la web de la Sociedad Española de Disfunción Craneomandibular y Dolor Orofacial.

Department of Special Care in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.

Department of Surgery, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alfonso X, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain.

Pinos Puente Healthcare Centre, Granada-Metropolitan Health District. Granada, Spain.

Abstract
Background: The present clinical trial study was designed to assess the effect of topical application of melatonin on
serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with diabetes and periodontal disease in comparison with healthy controls.
Material and Methods: Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
and CRP by nephelometry by using the proper commercial kits in 30 patients with diabetes and periodontal disea-
se, and also in a control group of 30 healthy subjects. Periodontograms were performed using the Florida Probe®.
Patients with diabetes were treated with a topical application of melatonin (1% orabase cream formula) once daily
for 20 days. Healthy subjects were treated with a placebo orabase cream.

Results: Patients with diabetes and periodontal disease had significantly higher mean levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6
and CRP than healthy subjects (P<o,oo1).

Following topical melatonin application, there was a statistically significant decrease in the gingival index and pocket depth (P<0,001)as well as a significant decrease in IL-6 and CRP serum levels (P<0,001).

Local melatonin application in patients with diabetes and periodontal disease resulted in a significant decrease in CRP and IL-6 serum levels as well as an improvement in the gingival index and pocket depth. Patients with periodontal disease had significantly higher serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α values by comparison with healthy subjects.

Conclusions: We conclude that melatonin can modulate the inflammatory action of these molecules in periodontal
patients.