Overexpression of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 may play an important role in periodontal breakdown in type 2 diabetic patients

Background and Objective: This study evaluated whether the biochemical changes associated with type 2 diabetes modulate the expression of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interferon-gamma in sites with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Biopsies were harvested and divided into three groups: group 1, systemically and periodontally healthy subjects (n = 10); group 2, systemically healthy subjects with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis (probing depth > 6 mm) (n = 20); and group 3, type 2 diabetic subjects with periodontitis (n = 20). Cytokine levels were assessed in the gingival tissues by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Results: Data analysis demonstrated that the interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interferon-gamma levels were higher in the presence of periodontal inflammation than in the absence of inflammation, regardless of systemic status. The interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 levels were higher in diabetic subjects (group 3) than in systemically healthy patients with comparable types of periodontitis (group 2). No difference was observed for the interleukin-8 and interferon-gamma levels between groups 2 and 3. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that type 2 diabetes was associated with increased expression of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in periodontally inflamed tissues of diabetic patients, relative to nondiabetic subjects, and that such overexpression may be involved in the mechanisms by which type 2 diabetes enhances periodontal destruction.