Investigation of the levels of inflammatory pathway proteins initiated by IL-37 and IL-1 receptor 8 interaction in healthy and periodontitis subjects

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of intracellular signaling molecules (IL-1R8, PTEN, MER, MAPK, and CD40) involved in the inflammatory process initiated by the interaction of IL-37 and IL-1 receptor 8 in healthy individuals and patients with periodontitis. This cross-sectional study included a total of 54 patients, consisting of 30 females and 24 males. The study population was divided into three groups: a healthy group (10 females, 8 males), a periodontitis grade B group (11 females, 7 males), and a periodontitis grade C group (9 females, 9 males). Levels of IL-1R8, PTEN, MER, MAPK, and CD40 in gingival crevicular fluid samples collected from these patients were evaluated using the ELISA method. According to the results, when comparing PTEN and MER levels between groups, the periodontitis grade C group showed significantly higher levels than the periodontitis grade B group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of IL-1R8, MAPK, and CD40 levels (p > 0.05). In conclusion, PTEN and MER levels in gingival crevicular fluid differ between moderate and rapidly progressing periodontitis cases. However, IL-1R8, MAPK, and CD40 levels do not vary between periodontal health and disease states.