The apolipoprotein B concentration in gingival crevicular fluid increases in patients with diabetes mellitus

Oral health conditions have a significant relationship with diabetes mellitus (DM) as well as dyslipidemia. In this study, we investigated the levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with DM. GCF and blood samples from 18 DM patients and 18 healthy subjects were examined. GCF was collected with paper points without inflicting any harm. The apoB and oxLDL levels were measured by sandwich ELISA assays. The number of teeth with a deep probing pocket depth and the number of teeth with bleeding on probing, two typical periodontal parameters, correlated with the DM parameters, such as hemoglobin A1c. The GCF volume and the concentrations of protein, apoB and oxLDL in GCF were significantly higher in the DM patients than in the healthy subjects. In particular, the apoB concentration in GCF was increased 6-fold in the DM patients. The GCF apoB concentration correlated well with the DM parameters in plasma. GCF could be a clinical source for examining not only the oral status of patients, but also certain systemic conditions. •Oral conditions may have close relations to systemic conditions such as DM.•ApoB and oxidized LDL are present in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).•ApoB concentration in GCF was 6-fold higher in DM patients than healthy subjects.