Level of Interleukin-35 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid, Saliva, and Plasma in Periodontal Disease and Health.

BACKGROUND

A novel member of the interleukin (IL)-12 family, IL-35 is an important inhibitory cytokine released by regulatory T cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and plasma levels of IL-35 in periodontal disease and health.

METHODS

Samples of GCF, whole saliva, and plasma were obtained from systemically healthy, non-smoking individuals with gingivitis (n = 20) or chronic periodontitis (CP) (n = 20) and periodontally healthy individuals (n = 20). Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements, including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, gingival index, and plaque index (PI), were also recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine IL-35 levels in the samples. Data were tested statistically by analysis of variance and Pearson rank correlation test.

RESULTS

All clinical parameters were significantly higher in the CP group than the healthy and gingivitis groups (P <0.001). The GCF total amount of IL-35 was significantly higher in the CP group than the other groups (P = 0.04), whereas the GCF concentration of IL-35 was significantly higher in the healthy group than the other groups (P = 0.002). There were significant differences among the study groups in terms of salivary IL-35 level (P <0.001), with the highest level observed in the healthy group and the lowest in the CP group. There was no statistical difference between groups in plasma levels of IL-35 (P >0.05). There was a positive correlation between GCF total amount of IL-35 and PD (r = 0.338, P = 0.03) and PI (r = 0.374, P = 0.005) parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-35 could have an important role in suppressing periodontal inflammation and maintaining periodontal health. Additional studies are required to evaluate its role in periodontal diseases.