Modulation of monocyte subtypes in diabetes after non-surgical periodontal treatment

Objectives: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the modulation of monocyte phenotype, in the presence or absence of diabetes. Materials and methods: The identification, quantification, and phenotypic characterization of monocyte subtypes (classical, intermediate, and non-classical) were performed by flow cytometry, at baseline and 1 month after the end of non-surgical periodontal treatment, in patients with periodontitis, associated or not with diabetes. Results: There was an increase in non-classical monocytes after treatment and a reduction in intermediate monocytes, without differences for the classical subtype, regardless of the diabetes status. Furthermore, there was a reduction in intermediate monocytes and an increase in non-classical and classical monocytes after treatment in the diabetes group, while no significant differences were observed for classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes in the group without diabetes. Comparisons between the two groups showed significant differences for classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes at baseline; these differences were not found one month after treatment. Conclusions: Non-surgical periodontal treatment leads to modulation of monocytes to a less inflammatory phenotype, especially in individuals with diabetes. Clinical relevance. A better understanding of the role of these biomarkers in the periodontitis contex may constitute a new strategic target for a better treatment of patiens with diabetes associated to periodontitis. Clinical Trial Registration. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials—RBR-35szwc. Jhefferson Miranda Alves and Danielle Borges Germano contributed equality to this study and should be considered first authors.