Relationship between cytokine levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in pregnant women

► We evaluated the relationship between serum and GCF cytokine levels. ► Hundred pregnant women with gestational age up to 20weeks were included. ► IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. ► Low correlation between GCF and serum cytokine levels was found. ► Our findings do not support a low-grade systemic inflammation caused by periodontitis. Periodontal disease has been linked to systemic diseases/disorders and a low-grade systemic inflammatory status originated from periodontitis has been proposed as a possible explanation for this association. This study evaluates the relationship, early in pregnancy, between gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of a panel of cytokines that have been implicated in PTB and periodontal disease. One hundred pregnant women aged 18–35years old with a gestational age up to 20weeks were included (mean±SD gestational age:16.1±3.5weeks). Four periodontal sites per subject were randomly selected for GCF collection. Serum and GCF levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were analyzed using a cytometric bead array. Regression and correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between serum and GCF cytokine levels. Participants had widespread periodontal inflammation but limited periodontal destruction. Cytokine levels were significantly higher in GCF than serum for all cytokines but IL-10. GCF levels had small but significant effect on serum levels for IL-10 (β=0.34±0.09, p