Cytokines in periradicular lesions: the effect of linezolid treatment.

Author(s): Danin J, Linder L, Lundqvist G, Wretlind B

Affiliation(s): Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. john.danin@ofa.ki.se

Publication date & source: 2003-10, Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod., 96(4):492-8.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (RA), IL-6, and transforming growth factor beta(1) found in extracts of inflammatory periapical tissues and to study the effect of a new antibiotic (linezolid) on the levels of these cytokines. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two patients with root-filled teeth with persisting periapical pathoses were randomly divided into a control group or an antibiotic group. One tooth from each of the patients was resected at the root-end, and the periapical tissue was collected. IL-1RA, IL-6, and TGF-beta(1) were quantified in tissue extracts through the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Measurable amounts of all 3 cytokines were found in all extracts. A statistically significant reduction in IL-1RA per milliliter was observed in the linezolid group in comparison with the control group (P <.05). The difference in variation of IL-1RA in the treatment and control groups was also highly statistically significant (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although drawn from a limited sample size, the results indicate that IL-1RA is a sensitive indicator of the effect of antibacterial treatment on the immune response in periapical inflammatory tissues.