IL-8 and TNF-α from peripheral neutrophils and acute-phase proteins in periodontitis -: Effect of cigarette smoking:: a pilot study

Objective: In other studies, we have found deviant functions in peripheral neutrophils in periodontitis. The aim here was to study (1) the release of cytokines, IL-8 and TNFalpha, from neutrophils in 15 treated periodontitis patients and pair-matched controls as well as (2) the effects of cigarette smoking. Material and methods: Cytokines released in the incubation medium from unstimulated and Fcgamma-R-stimulated neutrophils and some acute-phase reactants were measured with ELISA. Results: Non-smoking patients had trends for lower TNFalpha release compared to non-smoking controls, while corresponding trends were rather similar for Il-8. Smoking had a moderate but inconsistent effect on the release of both cytokines. However, in patients, the ratio between stimulated/un-stimulated release of Il-8 was significantly lowered by smoking (p<0.03). The parameters of inflammation in plasma differed only slightly between patients and controls, indicating that periodontal disease in a quiet phase has a negligible systemic effect with the possible exception for a higher IL-8 level. In contrast, smoking had significant systemic effect on the neutrophil count and IgG levels. Conclusions: Release of IL-8 and TNF-alpha from peripheral neutrophils and various parameters of inflammation in plasma seem to be affected more by cigarette smoking than periodontal disease.