Asociación entre niveles de TNF-α en fluido crevicular gingival de dientes con periodontitis apical asintomática

Abstract

IntroductionAs a consequence of septic pulp necrosis, the entry of bacterial products into periapical tissues induces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. This pleiotropic cytokine is involved in the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts to induce bone resorption, a hallmark of asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP). Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) has a great potential as a source of factors associated with osteoclastic activity. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of TNF-α in GCF of teeth with PAA and contralateral healthy controls. MethodsA total of 14 patients with clinical diagnosis of AAP were enrolled from the Clinic of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile during 2009 and 30-second GCF samples were obtained with paper strips from AAP teeth and contralateral healthy controls. Total protein concentration and TNF-α levels were determined through bisciconitic acid method and ELISA assay, respectively. Paired t test and StataV11 software were used for statistical analysis. ResultsLevels of TNF-α were significantly higher in GCF from teeth with AAP than controls when standardized by either 30s of sampling and total protein content. ConclusionsThe present study provides preliminary data supporting that TNF-α levels in GCF reflect periapical status. Screening of TNF-α levels in GCF might represent a useful side-diagnostic tool to the monitoring of the apical status.