This paper describes a study of whether or not the amounts of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are correlated with periodontal clinical measures. A sensitive ELISA was developed to measure IL‐6 in GCF. Two male and 3 female adult subjects with periodontal disease were examined at their first appointments, after 3 months, and after 6 months. Data were obtained on plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD), and on the IL‐6 content of GCF samples from 16 sites per subject for a total of 240 measurements. Significant correlations were found between BI and IL‐6 (P < 0.005) and between PD and IL‐6 (P <0.05), but not between PI and IL6. Only 6 out of the 80 sites (in 3 of the 5 subjects) showed PD increases of at least 2 mm. However, for each of these 3 subjects, the amounts of IL‐6 in the GCF samples from these sites were markedly higher than the mean amounts of IL‐6 in the GCF samples from the remaining sites. These findings suggest that IL‐6 may be a useful indicator of periodontal disease, although more extensive longitudinal studies are needed to determine the real clinical value of this GCF component. J Periodontol 1993; 64:980–983.

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Measurements of flow rate, pH, hypothiocyanite, thiocyanate, and salivary peroxidase activity were made for unstimulated (drooled) whole saliva samples from 29 caries-free and 29 caries-active naval recruits. No significant differences were found between the two groups of subjects for any of these variables. Thus, single point measurements of static properties of saliva do not reveal significant correlations between caries incidence and concentrations of salivary peroxidase system components. However, the results did provide strong support for the concept that the salivary peroxidase system is active in vivo. Statistical analyses showed significant negative correlations for hypothiocyanite with salivary peroxidase activity. These correlations are consistent with in vitro biochemical studies which show that the generation of hypothiocyanite in saliva is associated with a decrease in enzyme activity. Furthermore, smokers had significantly elevated thiocyanate and hypothiocyanite compared to nonsmokers. These elevations are also consistent with in vitro studies which show that when the salivary peroxidase system is activated additional supplements of thiocyanate produce increased generation of hypothiocyanite.

Root surfaces which have lost their attachment due to chronic inflammatory periodontal disease present significant increases in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and fluoride. The clinical significance of this effect is not known in regards to wound healing, but it may be helpful in control of cervical sensitivity.

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