Effect of Menopause on Interleukin-1 Concentration in Gingival Crevicular Fluids

Abstract

Estrogen is thought to play a role in inhibiting bone resorption and reduced estrogen levels correlate with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Menopause and oophorectomy have been associated with increased production of bone resorption-inducing cytokines. The purpose of the present study was to compare the concentrations of Interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) and the total IL-1/IL-1 ra ratio (IL-1 activity index ; IL-1 AI) were measured in 144 GCF samples from 72 sites in 12 premenopausal patients (Pr group : age 44.2±2.2) and 72 sites in 12 postmenopausal patients (Po group : age 57.8±1.3). IL-1 α, IL-1 β and IL-1 ra were measured by specific non-crossreactive enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. The probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, gingival index, and alveolar bone loss of each site were recorded at the time of GCF sampling. The marginal gingival inflammation in both groups was well controlled and the clinical inflammatory assessments of the gingival condition were indistinguishable in both groups. The concentrations of IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IL-1 ra and IL-1 AI in the Po group were significantly higher than those in the Pr group (IL-1 α 110.0±15.1 pg/ml ; 61.3±8.8 pg/ml, P < 0.01, IL-β 27.3±4.8 pg/ml ; 15.6±3.4 pg/ml, P < 0.05, IL-1 ra 77.2±13.6 ng/ml ; 39.9±4.3 ng/ml, P < 0.01, IL-1 AI, 27.3±4.8 pg/ml ; 15.6±3.4 pg/ml, 86951<0.05). Conclusively, the increased IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IL-1 ra concentrations and IL-1 AI in the Po group suggest that menopause does correlate with increased IL-1 cytokine in GCF.