Glycemic control and the production of cytokines in diabetic patients with chronic periodontal disease

Objective To evaluate the association of glycemic control and cytokine production in type 2 diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis. Methods Gingival biopsies were performed in 40 patients, divided into four groups: systemically healthy subjects without periodontal disease (S); systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis (P); patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with chronic periodontitis (C); poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus with chronic periodontitis (D). The production of interleukin (IL) -4, -6, -10, -17 and interferon (IFN) -γ was quantified by ELISA. Results The production of IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and INF-γ was higher on group D when compared to other groups (p <0.05), which in turn were similar (p ≥0.05). In addition, there was no difference in the production of IL-6 in any of the evaluated groups (p≥0.05). Conclusion Were observed significantly elevated levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, demonstrating that glycemic control may be associated to the immune inflammatory response of sites with chronic periodontitis. Indexing terms: Chronic periodontitis. Cytokines. Diabetes Mellitus. Inflammation.