Abstract

ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN-8 IN PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE

Dr. Abhilasha Sahgal* and Dr. C.D. Dwarakanath

Abstract

Interleukin -8 is a proinflammatory cytokine, a potent chemoattractant and activator of neutrophils and other immune cells. The present study was undertaken to estimate IL-8 concentration in GCF of healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis patients and also to evaluate any association between IL-8 concentrations in GCF with the amount of periodontal tissue destruction. IL-8 levels were evaluated for three groups consisting of 25 subjects each, aged 25 to 50 years. The subjects were assigned to different groups based on both clinical and radiological findings. The GCF samples were collected with micropipettes and IL-8 concentration was measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. The results indicate that IL-8 concentration increased progressively from health controls to gingivitis and then to periodontitis. There was statistically significant difference in the mean ranks of health, gingivitis and periodontitis. However, there is a high degree of variability in IL-8 concentration from one subject to another in the different groups. Whereas evaluation of IL-8 may indicate the presence of disease, it may not demonstrate those sites which are susceptible for further periodontal breakdown. Future studies employing more samples with longitudinal time frame along with microbiological evaluation are required to assess the diagnostic potential of IL-8 levels in periodontal tissues.

Keywords: IL-8, periodontitis, neutrophils, cytokines.