Interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in periapical exudates

The aim of this study was to determine IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with clinical and radiological findings.

Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 35 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of clinical signs including swelling and/or fistula, pain on palpation and/or percussion, and pus discharge from canals. Periapical exudate samples were divided into two groups according to size of periapical radiolucent area.

The mean concentration of IL-1beta (72.79 ng mL-1) in periapical exudates was approximately 12-fold higher than TNF-alpha(6.17 ng mL-1). There was no significant correlation between these cytokines (P > 0.05). IL-1beta levels in canals with larger radiolucent areas (long axis > or =1 cm) were significantly higher than those with small areas (P < 0.05). There was a tendency toward higher levels of IL-1beta in groups with clinical signs, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05).

Periapical exudate levels of both cytokines failed to reflect periapical disease state.