engleski

Salivary cytokines as possible biomarkers of periodontal disease

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare salivary concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) between patients with periodontal disease and healthy controls. Furthermore, we aimed to find whether salivary levels of proinflammatory cytokines correlated with clinical measurements of periodontal disease. Methods: Test group consisted of 33 patients, 16 patients had generalized chronic periodontitis and 17 patients had generalized aggressive periodontitis. Control group consisted of 28 healthy participants with no clinical signs of periodontal disease and healthy oral mucosa. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were taken by a single examiner with a standardized periodontal probe. Saliva samples were collected between 8 and 12 a.m. by simple drooling method. Concentrations of salivary IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by commercial chemiluminescent enzyme linked immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Mann-Whitney test, analysis of covariance and Spearman's rank correlation. Results: No significant differences with regard to the age and gender were detected between the tested groups. All clinical measurements were significantly higher in the patient group. Also, significantly higher number of smokers was observed in the patient group. No significant differences in the salivary IL-6 and TNF-α were observed between patients and healthy controls. No significant correlations between salivary IL-6 and TNF-α and performed clinical measurements of periodontal disease were observed. Conclusion: No difference in the level of proinflammatory cytokines between healthy controls and individuals with periodontitis was found. Primary source of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the oral cavity is gingival crevicular fluid. Therefore our results can be partially explained by the dilution of these cytokines in the whole saliva. Relevance: These results cast doubt upon the use of salivary IL-6 and TNF-α as possible biomarkers of periodontal disease.

interleukin 6; tumor necrosis factor alpha; periodontitis

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