Interleukin-1beta, interleukin-12 and interleukin-18 levels in gingival fluid and serum of patients with gingivitis and periodontitis.

The local production of IL-1beta and IL-18 in the gingival crevicular fluid increased with increasing inflammation and IL-18 was the predominant cytokine at both gingivitis and periodontitis sites. Very little IL-12 was detected with levels decreasing with increasing inflammation. These results suggest that there is an association between severity of periodontal disease and levels of IL-1, IL-12 and IL-18.