['Pregnancy and puberty gingivitis have been attributed to increased concentrations of circulating sex hormones. This inflammatory gingival condition is accompanied by the local production of cytokines. The aims of this in vitro study were to assess, in the presence or absence of testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by human gingival fibroblasts (hGF), and to evaluate the effects of flutamide (a common anti-androgen) in this system.', 'The effects of the androgens, T and DHT, on IL-6 production were measured in vitro in serum-free, phenol red-free medium. Cells were incubated with or without androgens for 72 hours; the concentration of IL-6 secreted into the medium after an additional 24-hour challenge with IL-1beta plus hormones was estimated by radioimmunoassay. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine hGF and periodontal ligament cells (PDL) for the presence of androgen receptor.', 'In serum-free medium, T and DHT at concentrations of 5 x 10(-8) to 10(-7)M significantly (P <0.05) inhibited IL-6 production by hGF. Flutamide, up to concentrations of 2 x 10(-5)M, did not reverse this inhibition. The androgen receptor was identified in both hGF and PDL.'] Do androgens modulate interleukin-6 production by gingival fibroblasts in vitro?