Cytokine levels in crevicular fluid associated with compliance during periodontal maintenance therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To longitudinally evaluate the effects of compliance during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) on cytokines levels and its relation to periodontal status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-one eligible individuals were selected from a 6-year prospective study with 212 individuals in PMT. From this total, 28 regular compliers (RC) were randomly selected and matched for age and gender with 28 irregular compliers (IC). All participants were non-smokers and non-diabetic. Periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected in 5 times: T1 [prior to active periodontal therapy (APT)], T2 (after APT), T3 (2 years), T4 (4 years), and T5 (6 years). Levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-8 were quantified through ELISA.

RESULTS

RC presented better clinical periodontal status over time when compared to IC. A significant reduction in the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-8, and IL-6 was observed among RC along time (from T1 to T5). Levels of IL-1 were similar among groups. By contrast, levels of IL-6 and TNF-α increased over time in IC individuals. Levels of IL-10 increased among RC and reduced among IC.

CONCLUSIONS

The inflammatory cytokines IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and MMP-8 were correlated with worse clinical parameters among IC, while IL-10 was associated with an improvement in clinical parameters among RC. These results reinforce the role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, as well as their role as markers to monitoring the progression of the periodontitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Regular compliance during 6-year period the PMT sustained clinical and immunological benefits obtained after active periodontal therapy.