Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Plasma Acute-Phase Cytokine Levels in Different Periodontal Diseases

Background: The aim of the present study is to investigate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma acute-phase cytokines, interleukin-I beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-11 (IL-11), oncostatin M (OSM), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) levels in patients with different periodontal diseases. Methods: Eighty individuals were included in this study; 20 with chronic periodontitis (CP), 20 with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 20 with gingivitis, and 20 classified as healthy (H). Probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index were recorded. Plasma and GCF IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-11, OSM, and LIF levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: CP and GAgP groups had significantly higher GCF IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-11 levels when compared with the H group (P <0.05). Conversely, GCF LIF levels of the CP and GAgP groups were lower than those of the H group (P<0.05). GCF OSM levels did not differ significantly among study groups. Plasma levels of all the cytokines studied were not significantly different among the study groups. Conclusions: Based on the present data, elevated IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-11 GCF levels, but not plasma levels, are suggested as reliable inflammatory biomarkers in periodontal diseases. Decreased LIF levels in diseased groups might reflect the possible beneficial effects of LIF in the modulation of inflammatory response in gingiva. J Periodontol 2012;83: 1304-1313.