Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression in Apical Periodontitis from Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus has been regarded as a condition capable of influencing the evolution of periapical lesions. Therefore, this study evaluated the immunoexpression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-17 in apical periodontitis from type 2 diabetic patients through immunohistochemistry. Twenty-six periapical lesions were selected, and the images obtained through immunohistochemistry reactions were analyzed. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. IL-1 beta expression was considered focal (54%), weak to moderate (38%), and strong (8%) in diabetics, and focal (46%), weak to moderate (31%), and strong (23%), in controls. TNF-alpha was focal (85%) and weak to moderate (15%) in diabetics, and focal (92%) and weak to moderate (8%), in controls. IL-17 was focal (8%), weak to moderate (46%), and strong (46%) in diabetics, and focal (62%), weak to moderate (8%), and strong (30%), in controls. The quantitative analysis revealed greater expression of IL-17, with a significant difference between IL-17 x IL-1 beta x TNF-alpha p=0.0009 in the diabetic group. The cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha did not express statistical differences between the tested groups. The IL-17 showed higher immunoexpression in the diabetic group p=0.047, which may suggest higher bone resorption activity in chronic apical periodontitis in this group of patients.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the immunoexpression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-17 in apical periodontitis from type 2 diabetic patients. The results showed higher expression of IL-17 in diabetic patients, suggesting higher bone resorption activity in chronic apical periodontitis in this group.