Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:bold>Aims:</jats:bold> GCF levels of the cytokine IL‐1β and its receptor antagonist IL‐1ra were analyzed with respect to smoking in patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. The study population included 22 smokers and 18 non‐smokers in the age range 32–86 years. Concomitantly, the GCF levels of IgA, IgG, albumin and total protein were analyzed.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Method:</jats:bold> Samples of GCF were obtained from 2 diseased sites in each patient by means of an aspiration method. IL‐1β, IL‐1ra, IgA and IgG were determined with immunoelectrophoresis. Total protein was determined by the BCA method.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> The clinical characteristics in terms of probing depth and frequency of diseased sites and supragingival plaque did not differ between smokers and non‐smokers. Gingival bleeding, however, was significantly depressed in smokers. IL‐1β was detected in GCF of 95% of both smokers and non‐smokers and IL‐1ra in all patients. The GCF level of IL‐1ra was approximately 1000‐fold that of IL‐1β. The GCF levels of IL‐1β and IL‐1ra were high in comparison with those of TNF‐α and IL‐6 determined by the same method in our earlier studies.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusion:</jats:bold> Our observations did not reveal any influence of smoking on the levels of IL‐1β and IL‐1ra in GCF.</jats:p>