A study of interleukin 1β levels in peri-miniscrew crevicular fluid (PMCF)

This study provides a vital insight in assessing the clinical and biochemical changes in interleukin (IL)-1β levels in peri-miniscrew crevicular fluid (PMCF) during the course of orthodontic tooth movement.

The study comprised the analysis of IL-1β in peri-miniscrew crevicular fluid obtained from crevices around the miniscrews inserted in 11 patients (eight females and three males, mean age 17.3 ± 4.64 years) with all first premolar extraction and maximum anchorage requirement using miniscrew-supported anchorage. Miniscrews were loaded at 3 weeks after placement by 200-g nitinol closed coil springs of 9-mm length for en masse retraction. Peri-miniscrew crevicular fluid was collected at miniscrew placement (T1), at 3 weeks (T2/baseline) and on loading at 0 (T3) and 1 day (T4), 21 (T5), 72 (T6), 120 (T7), 180 (T8) and 300 (T9) days. IL-1β levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Peri-miniscrew tissue was examined for signs of inflammation, and also, miniscrew mobility was assessed with Periotest and handles of two mouth mirrors.

IL-1β levels in all miniscrews were significantly higher at T1 and peaked again at T4 showing a bimodal peak. However, there was a gradual and statistically significant decrease in IL-1β till T5, while further changes till the end of the study were statistically not significant.

The changing levels of IL-1β levels in PMCF over a duration of 300 days are suggestive of the underlying inflammatory process. IL-1β levels in PMCF show a significant rise during miniscrew insertion and on immediate loading. The trend of gradually reducing IL-1β levels around the miniscrew over the period after loading towards baseline is suggestive of adaptive bone response to stimulus.