Cytokines as diagnostic markers of pulpal inflammation

• Published in: International endodontic journal Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 573 - 580
• Main Authors: ElSalhy, M., Azizieh, F., Raghupathy, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biomarkers - blood; Blood; caries exposure; cytokines; Dental Caries - pathology; Dental Pulp - pathology; Dental Pulp Exposure - blood; Dental Pulp Exposure - pathology; Dentistry; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma - analysis; Interleukin-10 - blood; Interleukin-2 - blood; Interleukin-6 - blood; Interleukin-8 - blood; Interleukins - analysis; irreversible pulpitis; Male; Middle Aged; pulpal inflammation; Pulpitis - blood; Pulpitis - pathology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.12030

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 Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney 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.