Interleukin-11, interleukin-1β, interleukin-12 and the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal diseases

Objectives: The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be crucial for determining the immunopathology of gingivitis (G) and periodontitis. This study aimed to analyse interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-11 and IL-12 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with G and chronic periodontitis (CP). Material and Methods: Fourty subjects including 12 CP, 14 G and 14 controls (C) were enrolled. GCF samples were collected from six maxillary sites per patient and analysed for IL-1 beta, IL-11 and IL-12 by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Significantly lower concentrations of IL-11 were detected in CP compared with both G and C groups (p < 0.05). The CP group had a significantly higher total amount of IL-12 and IL-1 beta compared with the C group (p < 0.05). The IL-11:IL-1 beta cytokine ratio was higher in both G and C groups compared with the CP group. The IL-11:IL-1 beta ratio became progressively lower with increasing probing depth (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data showed that IL-11 levels are significantly decreased in GCF from sites with periodontitis compared with G and healthy sites. Because of the possible preventive effect of IL-11 on inflammation, IL-11 may be an important factor in the therapeutic modulation of periodontal disease.