Gingival crevicular fluid levels of prolactin in periodontitis patients with controlled versus uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. a controlled clinical trial

This study investigated gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of prolactin hormone (PRL) in stage III periodontitis (P) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) before and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT). In this case-controlled trial, 80 subjects were divided into 4 groups: group I: healthy control; Group II: systemically healthy stage III P patients; Group III: stage III P patients with controlled T2DM; Group IV: stage III P patients with uncontrolled T2DM. All P patients received NSPT. Three months after NSPT, PRL levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were: pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and gingival index measurements. At baseline, group IV showed the highest mean PRL levels, followed by Groups III and II, whereas group I showed the least mean values (p < 0.001). After 3 months, NSPT significantly improved all tested periodontal parameters except the gingival index (p < 0.001). NSPT reduced the PRL GCF levels in all P groups, with groups II and III showing significantly lower mean PRL levels than group IV (p < 0.001). PRL levels in groups II and III were significantly higher than those observed in group I at baseline. Elevated GCF levels of PRL seem to be linked to the disease process of P associated with T2DM. NSPT significantly reduced these levels. PRL could represent a valuable biomarker for periodontal inflammation associated with T2DM.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier NCT06941246.on 23 April 2025.