Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Salivary Expression Levels of IL-23 And IL-27 in Periodontal Health and Disease

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition marked by the destruction of the supporting apparatus of the tooth. The pathogenesis is largely determined by an imbalance between the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. IL-23, being pro-inflammatory in nature, contributes to tissue inflammation and deregulation through the production of IL-17. On the other hand, IL-27 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating the immune response by inhibiting IL-17. The current study aimed to assess IL-23 and IL-27 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in periodontal health and disease. Forty systemically healthy subjects were allocated into three groups: healthy (Group A, n=10), gingivitis (Group B, n=15), and periodontitis (Group C, n=15). Clinical parameters including probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded. GCF and saliva samples were collected to quantify IL-23 and IL-27 levels which were analyzed using a multiplex ELISA (ProcartaPlex™ Human Th9/Th17/Th22 Cytokine Panel). The results were statistically analysed using SPSS software (version 21.0, IBM, USA). IL-23 levels in both GCF and saliva significantly increased from healthy to gingivitis to periodontitis (p < 0.05). Conversely, IL-27 levels decreased progressively across the same groups (p < 0.05). IL-23 levels showed a strong positive correlation with PD and CAL, while IL-27 levels were negatively correlated with these parameters, particularly in the periodontitis group. Elevated IL-23 levels are associated with greater disease severity, whereas IL-27 appears to exert a protective, anti-inflammatory effect. The study highlights the potential of both cytokines as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring periodontal conditions. However, to confirm their clinical relevance, further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts are recommended.