Relationship of synovial tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 to temporomandibular disorder.

Author: Lee JK, Cho YS, Song SI.

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Year: 2010

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) to temporomandibular disorder with clinical symptoms such as pain, joint sounds, and mouth opening limitation by analysis of the level of these molecules in the synovial fluid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Twenty-four patients with chief complaints of pain, mouth opening limitation, and clicking sounds were selected as the experimental group and compared with 5 healthy subjects. After joint lavage with arthrocentesis, diluted synovial fluid was collected and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done for analysis of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in 24 experimental patients and 5 healthy subjects.

RESULTS:

The synovial levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were elevated in the experimental group compared with the healthy control group, but no significant correlation was established. The synovial levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were elevated in the acute pain group compared with the chronic pain group, but no significant correlation was established.

CONCLUSION:

In our analysis of 2 proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-6, in the synovial fluid of temporomandibular disorder patients with symptoms of pain, mouth opening limitation, and clicking, both were elevated without statistical significance.

Citation: Lee JK, Cho YS, Song SI. Relationship of synovial tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 to temporomandibular disorder. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2010;68(5):1064-8.