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Cytokines as diagnostic markers of pulpal inflammation
Author(s) -
ElSalhy M.,
Azizieh F.,
Raghupathy R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/iej.12030
Subject(s) - pulpitis , medicine , pulp (tooth) , dentistry , asymptomatic , cytokine , inflammation , interleukin 10 , odontoblast
Aim To measure and compare the levels of the cytokines IL ‐2, IL ‐6, IL ‐8, IL ‐10, TNF ‐α and IFN ‐γ in pulpal blood from irreversible pulpitis, asymptomatic caries exposure and normal pulps. Methodology Blood was obtained from pulp exposure sites using cotton pellets. Twenty‐five samples were obtained from normal teeth, 40 from asymptomatic caries‐exposed pulps and 43 from irreversible pulpitis teeth. Cytokine levels were determined by high‐sensitivity ELISA . Data were statistically analysed using K ruskal– W allis and M ann– W hitney U‐ tests. Results Significantly higher levels ( P < 0.05) of IL ‐6, IL ‐8, IL ‐10, TNF ‐α and IFN ‐γ were detected in caries‐exposed pulps and irreversible pulpitis as compared to normal teeth. IL ‐2 and IL ‐10 levels were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in caries‐exposed pulps as compared to irreversible pulpitis, whilst IL ‐8 was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in irreversible pulpitis as compared to caries‐exposed teeth. Most interestingly, IL ‐6/ IL ‐10 and IL ‐8/ IL ‐10 ratios were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in irreversible pulpitis compared with both caries‐exposed and normal teeth. Conclusion Levels of IL ‐8 and the ratios of IL ‐6/ IL ‐10 and IL ‐8/ IL ‐10 have the potential to be indicators of pulpal inflammation in caries exposure cases. Cytokine estimation in pulpal blood may help in the diagnosis of pulpal inflammation.