Flow-cytometric analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets after different treatment methods in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis

Aim: To determine any change in T-lymphocyte subsets after applying different treatment methods in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis. Participants: 50 adults with chronic periodontitis. Method: The subjects were divided into smokers and non-smokers. Biopsy samples were taken from the gingival pocket wall tissues at sites with chronic periodontitis before treatment, after initial treatment, after curettage and after flap operation and tested for CD4(+), CD8(+) lymphocyte and CD4/ CD8 ratio values. Gingival pocket depth, gingival index (Gl-Loe-Silness) and plaque index (PI-Silness-Loe) scores were also recorded. Analysis aimed at determining the relation between the clinical measurements and the laboratory results. Results: Flow cytometry findings in both groups showed that CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte values before treatment were under the normal value while the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was within normal distribution interval. The lymphocyte values observed in the smokers were found to be lower than those in the non-smokers. After treatment the difference between the lymphocyte values in smokers and non-smokers was found to be statistically significant. However, the difference between the CD4/CD8 rate obtained in smokers and non-smokers was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: The lymphocyte values observed in smokers were found to be lower than those in non-smokers after applying different treatment methods and the local immune response was poor in the smokers.