Assessment of Serum Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess whether serum cytokine levels correlate with clinical periodontal parameters in health or disease. Materials and Methods Male subjects (40–60 years) with CP (n = 30), CP + CHD (n = 30), and healthy controls (n = 20) had plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) evaluated. Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results PLI, GI, PPD, and CAL were significantly higher in patients with CP + CHD compared to those with CP. Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were also significantly higher in CP + CHD compared to those with CP, with both groups also being significantly higher than controls. There was a strong correlation between IL-1β and PPD and CAL and between IL-6 and GI and CAL in the CP group and between IL-6 and GI and PPD in the CP + CHD group. Conclusion The results provide further evidence that periodontitis triggers systemic inflammation. Cytokine levels in patients with periodontitis may represent a useful screening tool to identify those at greater risk of cardiovascular events.