Smoking and GCF levels of IL-1β and 1L-1ra in periodontal disease

Aims: GCF levels of the cytokine IL-1 beta and its receptor antagonist IL-1ra were analyzed with respect to smoking in patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. The study population included 22 smokers and 18 non-smokers in the age range 32-86 years. Concomitantly, the GCF levels of IgA; IgG, albumin and total protein were analyzed. Method: Samples of GCF were obtained from 2 diseased sites in each patient by means of an aspiration method. IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, IgA and IgG were determined with immunoelectrophoresis. Total protein was determined by the BCA method. Results: The clinical characteristics in terms of probing depth and frequency of diseased sites and supragingival plaque did not differ between smokers and non-smokers. Gingival bleeding, however, was significantly depressed in smokers. IL-1 beta was detected in GCF of 95% of both smokers and non-smokers and IL-1ra in all patients. The GCF level of IL-1ra was approximately 1000-fold that of IL-1 beta. The GCF levels of IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were high in comparison with those of TNF-alpha and IL-6 determined by the same method in our earlier studies. Conclusion: Our observations did not reveal any influence of smoking on the levels of IL-1 beta and IL-1ra in GCF.