Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Peripical Tissue Exudates of Teeth with Apical Periodontitis

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α ) levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with radiological findings. Methodology. Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 60 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. TNF- αlevels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided into three groups according to the periapical radiolucent area. Results. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences between TNF- αconcentrations in control group (40,57 ± 28 , 15 pg/mL) and group with larger radiolucent areas (2365,79 ± 582 , 95 pg/mL), as well as between control and canals with small radiolucent areas (507,66 ± 278 , 97) ( P < .05 ). Conclusions. The levels of TNF- αincrease significantly in teeth with periapical pathosis, from smaller to bigger lesions. This research and its results have shown that objective analysis of the TNF- αlevels enables establishment of a relationship between different concentrations of TNF- αand different radiological changes.