Increase of IL-6, IL-1α, and IL-1β Cytokines and Decrease of TGF-β in the Gingival Sulcus and Plasma of Patients Vaccinated against COVID-19

Periodontal diseases include a series of chronic inflammatory responses of gingival tissue that are initiated by periodontal pathogenic microorganisms and cause tissue damage by stimulating the immune system. Cytokine storms are due to an acute hyperinflammatory response which is responsible for clinical disease; however, it is associated with a poor prognosis and increased mortality in patients with COVID-19. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-B in patients vaccinated against COVID-19 and compare it with patients diagnosed with periodontitis who failed to be vaccinated.

This was a case-control study. Non-probabilistic sampling method was used in this in vitro analytical laboratory study. The samples included 40 participants who were divided into two groups of 20 (vaccinated, and unvaccinated). ELISA technique was used to determine the concentration of cytokines. Statistical tests were analyzed using a repeated-measure design. Multiple comparisons were performed using SPSS software (version 16). The significance level was set at 0.05.

The results of the study indicated an increase in IL-1 and IL-6 levels in individuals who were vaccinated. We also observed a lower concentration of TGF-B cytokines in vaccinated patients with periodontitis.The present study is descriptive and without mechanical support.

The present study revealed that the level of inflammatory cytokines in vaccinated patients with periodontitis is higher than that in those who failed to be vaccinated, and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines demonstrated an opposite pattern in this study.