Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1 in chronic periapical lesions

Objective. Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in periapical pathosis and to determine their relationship to the size of the lesions. Study design, One tooth from each of 25 patients was root-end resected, and the periapical lesion was collected, The amounts of TNF-alpha and TCF-beta(1) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results, TGF-beta(1) was detected in 21 of 25 lesions; In samples with scar tissue, no TGF-beta(1) activity was detected. A statistically significant correlation was found between TGF-beta(1) per milligram of tissue and the diameter of the lesions. TNF-alpha was detected in only 2 samples. Conclusions. TGF-beta(1) was present in periapical granulomas and cysts but not in lesions with scar tissue. The correlation between the amount of TGF-beta(1) per milligram of tissue and the size of the lesion was significant.