Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an inflammatory exudate that can be collected at the gingival margin or within the gingival crevice. The biochemical analysis of the fluid offers a non invasive means of assessing the host response in periodontal disease. Active phase of periodontal disease process can be measured or assessed by the constituents of gingival fluid. Bacterial enzymes, bacterial degradation products, connective tissue degradation products, host mediated enzymes, inflammatory mediators, extracellular matrix proteins either together or individually can be detected in higher levels in gingival crevicular fluid during active phase of periodontitis.
Samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were harvested from sites manifesting features characteristic of active disease including inflammation, periodontal attachment loss, and radiographic signs of alveolar bone destruction in untreated patients with advanced periodontitis. The presence and concentrations of interleukin-l (IL-l) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured using ELISAs specific for these cytokine molecules. IL-l and/or IL-1β were identified in the GCF of 15 of 15 patients having untreated periodontitis. Ninety percent (71 of 79) of the sites tested contained measurable amounts of IL-l. with IL-lβ as the more frequently occurring form. IL-l levels ranged from 0.23 nM to 13.9 nM in the GCFs. IL-1β levels were between 0.04 nM and 5.28 nM. Marked reductions of total IL-1 levels were observed following effective treatment. Both forms of IL-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected in 17 of 17 gingival tissue samples from 6 patients. These results demonstrate that IL-1 is produced and released locally in periodontal disease at concentrations sufficient to mediate tissue inflammation and bone resorption. IL-1 may serve as a marker of periodontal tissue destruction.
It comprises of:
polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Neutrophil granulocytes);
lymphocytes;
monocytes;
organic ions
It includes enzymes such as cathepsin B, D
collagenase
dipeptidil peptidase
elastase
beta glucuronidase
hyaluronidase
lactate dehydrogenase
lactoferrin
lysozyme
plasminogen activator
acid phosphatase
alkaline phosphatase
Functions
protective effects
clearance of cells and potentially dangerous bacterial molecules;
antibacterial action of immunoglobulins;
(plaque formation induced by calcium ions on the gingival margin)
negative effects
tartar formation induced by alcaline phosphatase;
proteolytic enzyme are dangerous for the gingival sulcus and the other gingival tissues
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