Aim.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the teeth supporting structures, triggered by periodontal pathogens, and is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Genes encoding molecules related to the immune response, such as
cytokine, are the main candidates for polymorphisms analysis and may be possibly associated with this pathology. A G/C promoter polymorphism on the
IL6 gene has been shown to affect basal
IL-6 levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the
IL6 c.-174G>C polymorphism and
periodontitis in individuals from Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Material and Methods. Three hundred and thirty individuals (134 cases, 196 controls) were genotyped for the
IL6 c.-174G>C by MS-PCR technique. Concentrations of salivary
IL-6 were determined by ELISA method. Results. The
IL6 c.-174G>C polymorphism was associated with
periodontitis when comparing the distribution of genotypes between patients with
periodontitis and control subjects. The GC genotype appeared as a protective factor for
periodontitis. Results showed increased levels of salivary
IL-6 in
periodontitis patients. Nevertheless, there was no relationship between the concentrations of
IL-6 and genotypes when comparing the case and control groups. Conclusions. Our data indicate an association between
IL6 c.-174G>C polymorphism and
periodontitis and showed that
IL-6 may be considered an important marker for
periodontitis.