The data from this study support the proposed link between periodontitis and cerebrovascular accident in the Indian population. However, further studies are necessary to verify and quantify the role of oral infections and genetic factors in the process of atherosclerosis.

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There are conflicting data regarding the role of interleukin (IL)-17 in periodontal health and disease. However, IL-18 levels are known to increase with the severity of periodontal disease. The present study was performed to explore the role of these proinflammatory cytokines in periodontal disease progression, and also to clarify the effect of periodontal treatment on their concentration. Sixty age- and gender-matched subjects were divided into three groups each consisting of 20 subjects on the basis of gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and radiological parameters (bone loss): healthy (group 1), gingivitis (group 2) and chronic periodontitis (group 3), while group 3 patients after treatment constituted group 4. GCF samples collected from all the groups were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to estimate the levels of IL-17 and IL-18. IL-18 levels in GCF increased proportionally with the severity of periodontal disease, and decreased after treatment. However, IL-17 levels in GCF were nearly zero. Since our data indicate an absence of IL-17 in GCF, it cannot be considered as a biomarker of periodontal disease progression, at least in Indian populations. However, IL-18 appears to be a good inflammatory biomarker.

GCF IL-18 and MCP-1 concentrations increased in periodontal disease compared to health and correlated positively with the severity of disease. Further, based on the positive correlation of IL-18 and MCP-1 found in this study, it can be proposed that IL-18 may promote an inflammatory response by the induction of MCP-1 production and the subsequent recruitment and activation of circulating leukocytes at the inflammatory site.

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