The study consisted of four groups: healthy individuals (control (C); n=20), smokers with healthy periodontium (S-C; n=20), nonsmokers with Stage III Grade B generalized periodontitis (P; n=20) and smokers with Stage III Grade C generalized periodontitis (S-P; n=18). Clinical periodontal parameters were measured. The determination of methylated arginine metabolites was carried out by LC-MS/MS.
Arginine metabolites are amino acids that are associated with vascular tone regulation and the level of inflammation, with critical roles in the synthesis of NO. Our aim was to determine the ADMA, SDMA, L-NMMA, L-arginine, L-homoarginine and IL-6 levels in saliva and serum samples from periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy individuals and to assess the levels of these compounds according to smoking status and compare these levels to those of healthy individuals.