Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2783-2031 46 6 2025 02 09 Salivary level of Interleukins 6 and 8 in people with geographic tongue in Tabriz, Iran during 2023: A case-control study 639 646 10.34172/mj.025.33478 EN Vahid Fakhrzadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2279-4676 Hosein Eslami https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0050-5872 Katayoun Katebi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6595-6359 Mina Kahyaie Aghdam https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1544-2088 Elmira Hekmat Journal Article 10.34172/mj.025.33478 2023 10 29 2024 02 26 Background. Cytokines play an important role in regulating the host response to infection and tissue damage. The aim of this research was to compare the salivary levels of interleukin 6 and 8 in people with geographic tongue and healthy people. Methods. In this case-control study, 34 people with geographic tongue and 34 healthy people participated. Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected from both groups. Subjects spit their saliva into Falcon tubes every 60 seconds for 6 minutes. After completing the sampling, the amount of interleukin 6 and 8 was measured using the ELISA technique. Data analysis was done using independent t-test in SPSS version 24. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The mean level of interleukin 8 was significantly higher in patients with geographic tongue (87.53±7.38 pg/mL) than in healthy subjects (53.53±6.04 pg/mL) (P<0.05). The mean level of interleukin 6 was significantly higher in patients with geographic tongue (519.11±49.92 pg/mL) than in healthy subjects (459.65±46.11 pg/mL) (P<0.05). In both control and patient groups, the level of interleukin 6 and 8 in women was significantly higher than in men (P<0.05). Conclusion. The mean levels of interleukin 8 and interleukin 6 in patients with geographic tongue were significantly higher compared to healthy subjects. Practical Implications. By determining the level of interleukins 8 and 6 in geographic tongue patients, their selective antagonists may induce therapeutic effects.