Analysis of the relationship between Interleukin-12 and chronic periodontitis in smokers and non-smokers

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammation of periodontium, result of the host response to bacterial accumulation on the tooth surface, and smoking can alter the host's response to plaque accumulation. Interleukin-12 plays a role in the regulation of the immune response of the host. We aimed to examine the relationship between IL-12 levels in gingival crevicular fluid and chronic periodontitis severity degree in smokers and non-smokers. A cross-sectional study comprising 76 male patients, aged 20-35 years old. Forty-six smokers, and 36 non-smokers. Sixty-four with periodontitis, and 12 healthy subjects. Patients clinically evaluated, and gingival crevicular fluid was retrieved using paper points from which IL-12 levels determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-12 levels were higher in patients with chronic periodontitis than in healthy individuals (p=0.042). IL-12 levels in the smoker group were higher than those in the non-smoker group (p=0.012). IL-12 levels were directly proportional to the increase in chronic periodontitis severity degree (p=0.001). As a conclusion, there was a significant relationship between IL-12 levels and chronic periodontitis severity degree. IL-12 levels were higher in patients with chronic periodontitis than in healthy individuals and were also directly proportional to the increase in periodontitis severity degree. IL-12 levels in the smoker group were also higher than those in the non-smoker group.