Association between lipoxin A4 and interleukin-12 in gingival crevicular fluid: a preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The balance between host proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune responses is a key determinant for the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study aimed to explore the possibility of an association between lipoxin A4 and interleukin-12 in chronic periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-five patients with chronic periodontitis and 45 periodontally healthy patients were included in this case-control study. Plaque index, calculus index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, full-mouth probing depth and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected and analysed for interleukin-12 and lipoxin A4 using ELISA.

RESULTS

The mean concentration of lipoxin A4 was lower in the periodontitis group compared with the periodontally healthy group. There was a negative correlation between interleukin-12 and lipoxin A4 in both groups. There was a negative correlation between clinical attachment loss and lipoxin A4, and a positive correlation between clinical attachment loss and interleukin-12. However, the correlations were statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean interleukin-12 concentration was significantly higher in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with periodontitis than in that from with healthy patients, and the mean lipoxin A4 concentration was lower in patients with periodontitis than in healthy patients. Lipoxin A4 possibly has an inhibitory effect on interleukin-12.