Serum cytokine profile among Brazilian children of African descent with periodontal inflammation and sickle cell anaemia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible immunologic relationships between sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and periodontal inflammation and its impact on serum cytokines.

DESIGN

Twenty-five Brazilian children of African descent were involved in this study and divided in two groups: SCA (n=10): confirmed diagnosis of homozygous anaemia; and CTR-control (n=15): no sickle anaemia. Clinical examination included comprehensive medical (routine physical evaluation) and periodontal exams: plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), and haematological analysis. Serum samples were collected for cytokine evaluation by microarray. Clinical and laboratorial parameters were compared statistically (alpha=5%).

RESULTS

The higher values of PI and BoP were similar for both groups (p>0.05) confirming a diagnosis of generalized gingivitis for all individuals. Intergroup analysis showed higher levels of interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumour necrosis alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-4, -5, -8, -10 and 13 only in the SCA group (p<0.05). In addition, PI was negatively correlated with IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-13, while BoP was positively correlated with IL-10.

CONCLUSION

Within the limits of the present study, it was concluded that SCA increase the levels of serum cytokines regardless of the presence of periodontal inflammation. Therefore, a direct immunological relationship between SCA and periodontal inflammation was not established.