IL-32 Levels in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis

Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is a recently described cytokine that is a strong inducer of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. A previous report have reported that Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived LPS significantly up-regulated IL-32 expression compared with the unstimulated cells in monocytes (THP-1 cells). They suggested that IL-32 may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In the present study the investigators hypothesized that IL-32 levels may increase in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis compared with healthy controls and these levels may decrease together with treatment.