Background:Periodontal diseases are infectious diseases in which periodontalpathogens trigger chronic inflammatory and immune responses. Interleukine-6 is a multifunctional cytokine playing a central role in inflammation and tissue injury.The aim of the study IS to determine the level of Interleukin-6(IL-6) in saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy subjects. Materials and Methods:The total subjects of the present study is 60, divided into 3 groups; 20 patients with chronic periodontitis with pocket depth(PD ≥4 mm)(group I), 20 patients with pocket depth(PD <4 mm) with clinical attachment loss (group II), and 20 healthy controls with pocket probing depth (PPD ≤ 3 mm) without clinical attachment loss (group III). Un-stimulated salivary sample was taken from each subject and was investigated for the presence of Interleukine-6by using Enzyme‑linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technology. Results:Mean IL-6 levels in saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis (98.40 ± 18.44 ng/L)was significantly higher than in controls (11.67 ± 3.32; p=0.001). Also a significant difference in IL-6 levels in saliva was observed between the PPD ≥ 4 mm and PPD < 4 mm groups and between PPD ≥ 4 mm and control groups, as well as statistically significant differences were observed between PPD < 4 mm and control groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion:The Interleukine-6 level in saliva can be considered as one of inflammatory biomarker indicators of severity of periodontitis. Keywords:Chronic periodontitis, saliva, Interleukine-6.
