Inflammatory Mediators in Saliva and Gingival Fluid in Children with Congenital Heart Defect

Inflammatory Mediators in Saliva and Gingival Fluid in Children with Congenital Heart Defect:

Abstract

Objectives

1) To compare levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory mediators in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in children with and without congenital heart defects (CHD), and to test if a systemic component exists in CHD children by controlling for gingivitis and plaque scores.

2) To correlate the levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory mediators in GCF and saliva with plaque bacterial composition among CHD cases and controls.

Materials and Methods

Whole un‐stimulated saliva and GCF samples were collected (60 CHD cases‐ 60 controls (Sudan)) and were analysed for levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1ra (IL‐1ra) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels. These levels were correlated with the previously reported levels of 4 red complex bacteria.

Results

Significantly elevated levels of PGE2 and IL‐1β in GCF and IL‐1β and TNF‐α in saliva were detected among CHD cases compared with controls. General linear models (GLM) analyses revealed that PGE2 and IL‐1β levels remained significantly higher in GCF and saliva samples, respectively, among CHD cases after controlling for gingivitis and plaque score, whereas TNF‐α and IL‐10 levels were significantly lower in their GCF samples. Additionally, IL‐1β level was significantly positively correlated to the counts of the 4 red complex species in their GCF.

Conclusion

In addition to higher levels of some pro‐inflammatory mediators in saliva and GCF corresponding to more gingivitis in CHD children, also a systemic inflammatory component exists and is reflected in these two oral fluids.