Santos VR, Ribeiro FV, Lima JA, Napimoga MH, Bastos MF, Duarte PM: Cytokine levels in sites of chronic periodontitis of poorly controlled and well‐controlled type 2 diabetic subjects. J Clin Periodontol 2010; doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01624.x.
Abstract
Aim: This study compared the levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐17 and IL‐23 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from well‐controlled and poorly controlled type 2 diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis, before and after periodontal therapy.
Material and Methods: Eighteen well‐controlled (glycated haemoglobin levels 8%) and 20 poorly controlled (glycated haemoglobin levels >8%) diabetic subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects were submitted to non‐surgical periodontal therapy. GCF sampling and clinical periodontal parameters were assessed before, 3 and 6 months post‐therapy. Total amounts and concentrations of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐17 and IL‐23 in the GCF were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: The levels of IL‐17 were higher in poorly than in well‐controlled subjects (p<0.05), whereas the levels of IFN‐γ were increased in well‐ compared with poorly controlled subjects at all experimental groups (p<0.05). In addition, IL‐4 levels were lower in well‐ than poorly controlled diabetic subjects at baseline (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for TNF‐α and IL‐23 at any time points (p>0.05).
Conclusion: These results indicate a predominance of pro‐inflammatory T‐helper type 1 (Th1)‐ or Th17‐cytokines in sites of chronic periodontitis from type 2 diabetic subjects, according to their glycaemic control.