Aim of the present study : to assess the levels of Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-18 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of stage III/ IV generalized periodontitis patients compared to their levels in periodontally healthy individuals.
Subjects and methods: Fifty subjects were included; twenty five of them are diagnosed with stage III/ IV generalized periodontitis and the other twenty five are periodontally healthy subjects. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded for all the enrolled subjects. GCF levels of Il-17 and IL-18 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Clinical parameters and GCF levels of Interleukin -17 and Interleukin -18 were higher in stage III/ IV generalized periodontitis than periodontally healthy subjects and both Il-17 and Il-18 are positively correlated.
Conclusion: Higher levels of Interleukin -17 and Interleukin -18 in stage III/ IV generalized periodontitis and their decrease after non surgical treatment show that they may have a role in pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.