Relationship between cytokine levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in pregnant women

BackgroundPeriodontal disease has been linked to systemic diseases/disorders and a low-grade systemic inflammatory status originated from periodontitis has been proposed as a possible explanation for this association. This study evaluates the relationship, early in pregnancy, between gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of a panel of cytokines that have been implicated in PTB and periodontal disease.MethodsOne hundred pregnant women aged 18–35 years old with a gestational age up to 20 weeks were included (mean ± SD gestational age:16.1 ± 3.5 weeks). Four periodontal sites per subject were randomly selected for GCF collection. Serum and GCF levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were analyzed using a cytometric bead array. Regression and correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between serum and GCF cytokine levels.ResultsParticipants had widespread periodontal inflammation but limited periodontal destruction. Cytokine levels were significantly higher in GCF than serum for all cytokines but IL-10. GCF levels had small but significant effect on serum levels for IL-10 (β = 0.34 ± 0.09, p < 0.01), IL-12p70 (β = 0.48 ± 0.08, p < 0.01) and TNF-α (β = 0.29 ± 0.09, p < 0.01). Periodontal probing depth and bleeding on probing were significantly associated with GCF levels for IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8; however, they had negligible effect on serum cytokine levels. Correlation between GCF and serum levels was non-significant, except for IL-12p70, which showed a significant but small correlation between the two sources (r = 0.32, p = 0.001).ConclusionsGCF cytokine levels were not strongly associated with serum cytokine levels in pregnant women with widespread periodontal inflammation but limited periodontal destruction.

► We evaluated the relationship between serum and GCF cytokine levels.
► Hundred pregnant women with gestational age up to 20 weeks were included.
► IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α levels were analyzed by flow cytometry.
► Low correlation between GCF and serum cytokine levels was found.
► Our findings do not support a low-grade systemic inflammation caused by periodontitis.