TNF-α and IL-4 levels in generalized aggressive periodontitis subjects

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-4 levels in healthy sites and sites exhibiting signs of moderate and advanced generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) in the same subject. Methods: The following sites were selected for crevicular fluid sampling in the same AgP subject (n = 14): Healthy sites (HS): no marginal bleeding or bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) ≤3 mm; Moderate sites (MS): BOP and PD between 4 and 6 mm; Advanced sites (AS): BOP and PD ≥7 mm. One site from periodontally healthy subjects (n = 13) was sampled for use as a control. TNF-α and IL-4 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: The total amount of TNF-α was lower for control sites, while there were no differences among healthy and diseased sites from GAgP subjects (P < 0.05). The concentration of TNF-α was higher in HS, in relation to the other sites (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the groups regarding total amounts of IL-4 (P > 0.05), while IL-4 concentration was significantly higher in control sites, when compared with sites from GAgP subjects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, high levels of TNF-α and low levels of IL-4 were observed in both healthy and diseased sites within the same generalized AgP individuals. © 2008 The Authors.