Periodontal disease in association with systemic levels of interleukin-18 and CXC ligand 16 in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is present in chronically inflamed tissues; IL-18 was positively associated with periodontitis and coronary artery disease (CAD). CXC ligand (CXCL) 16, a recently discovered chemokine, was identified in atherosclerotic lesions; its role in periodontal disease is largely unknown. This research study correlates periodontal parameters with systemic levels of IL-18 and CXCL16.

Methods: Fifty-one patients who presented for clinically indicated coronary angiography received full-mouth periodontal examinations. The periodontal status of patients was defined using frequency distributions of probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (AL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Blood samples were collected during cardiac catheterization, and plasma levels of IL-18 and CXCL16 were analyzed. The severity of CAD was determined by the presence and extent of coronary artery stenosis. Correlations between periodontal parameters, levels of inflammatory mediators, and CAD status were analyzed.

Results: The extent of BOP exhibited a significant positive correlation with IL-18 in the Spearman rank correlation analysis (P = 0.039), which indicated a correlation between periodontal inflammation and systemic IL-18 levels. When multiple regression analysis was performed, the extent of clinical AL > or =3 mm (P = 0.045) and > or =5 mm (P = 0.024) exhibited an association with IL-18, whereas CXCL16 was associated with clinical AL > or =5 mm (P = 0.040) and PD > or =7 mm (P = 0.047).

Conclusion: A significant correlation is identified between periodontitis and systemic levels of IL-18 and CXCL16 in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography.