Presence of cortisol in gingival crevicular fluid A pilot study

Abstract

Cortisol is one of the primary mediators of the stress response, in the main having immunosuppressive effects. An important component of the host response in periodontal inflammation is gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), with constituents mainly derived from serum. Cortisol, like many other steroids, is present in saliva but its occurrence in GCF does not seem to be documented. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and GCF was sampled on filter disks. The samples were analysed by a modified RIA method for serum in such a way that small volumes and low concentrations could be measured. Our findings suggest that the total concentration of cortisol in GCF might be estimated to levels below 1/10 of that in serum. However, what appears as a distinctive feature is the considerable variation of the cortisol concentrations for individual teeth. To our knowledge, this is the first time cortisol has been measured in gingival crevicular fluid, and this opens the prospects for further in vivo research.

Dental Plaque, Gingival Inflammation, and Elevated Levels of Interleukin‐6 and Cortisol in Gingival Crevicular Fluid From Women With Stress‐Related Depression and Exhaustion

“…The concentrations of cortisol in GCF were lower in our study compared to the study by Axtelius et al, 26 which could probably be explained by different methodology. We used an intracrevicular washing technique, which results in a more diluted specimen than in the study by Axtelius et al, 26 which used filter paper disks.…”

“…This could lead to an impaired immune system function, which might increase the risk for periodontitis. Cortisol in GCF has been investigated in non‐patients by Axtelius et al, 26 who concluded that there was a variation of the cortisol concentration between individual teeth and also higher concentrations in subjects with less good oral health.…”

“…In the physiological response to stress, the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis is stimulated, resulting in a change in cortisol concentration in blood, saliva, and other body fluids 7,25‐27 …”

Oral diseases and socio-economic status (SES)

“…36,37 The model outlined by Clarke and Hirsch 38 for example, has received considerable support from a number of more recent studies. [39][40][41][42] Thus the evidence supporting psychosocial stress as an aetiological factor in periodontitis is growing. The identification of possible biological pathways through which psychosocial stress may result in periodontal destruction provide circumstantial biological underpinning for the role of psychosocial stress.…”

Interlink between stress and periodontal disease

“…[23][24][25][26] In a pilot study done by Axtelius et al in 1998 showed the presence of cortisol in gingival crevicular fluid. 27 A study conducted by Johanssen et al also confirmed that persons with depressive signs show a elevation in cortisol levels in gingival crevicular fluid.…”