Cytokine profiles in adults with type 1 diabetes and periodontitis: associations with periodontal severity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction Periodontitis and type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are chronic inflammatory diseases with a bidirectional relationship. However, the oral inflammatory profile of adults with both conditions remains poorly characterized. This study characterized inflammatory mediator profiles in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva from adults with T1DM and periodontitis and compared them with non-diabetic controls, assessing associations with periodontal stage and grade. Methods This cross-sectional comparative study included 52 adults with T1DM and periodontitis and 51 non-diabetic adults with periodontitis. Clinical periodontal parameters were assessed, and participants were stratified by periodontal stage and grade. Cytokines and chemokines in GCF and saliva were quantified using a flow cytometry-based LEGENDplex panel. Results GCF from adults with T1DM showed significantly higher IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and lower IFNγ levels than controls. IP-10 levels were also reduced in T1DM and remained consistent across periodontal stages and grades. In saliva, IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL10 (IP-10) were significantly increased, whereas IFNγ was reduced. Higher salivary IP-10 levels were associated with stage III/IV and grade C periodontitis. Discussion Combined GCF and saliva analysis revealed a compartment-dependent inflammatory profile in adults with T1DM and periodontitis, characterized by consistent alterations in IL-1β, IL-6, and IFNγ, together with disease-dependent changes in IL-10 and IP-10. The association between salivary IP-10 and advanced periodontal stage and grade suggests that oral inflammatory biomarkers may provide complementary information beyond clinical severity. These findings support further investigation of biomarker-based approaches for characterizing periodontal inflammation in T1DM.
Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7225737731