Comparison of TNF alpha and TGF beta level in radicular cyst and odontogenic keratocyst fluid and its association with histopathological findings

Background and aim: tnf-? is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine andtgf-b1 is a secretory protein controlling epithelial proliferation and differentiation.keratocyst presents an aggressive behavior and a growth mechanism differentfrom that of radicular cyst.i n this line, the present study aimed at evaluating tnf-? and tgf-b1 level and its association with histopathological findings in the twoodontogenic lesions of different origins.methods: in this case-control study, aspirated fluid of 15 cases of radicular cystand 15 cases of keratocyst were investigated using elisa method. the grade ofinflammation and the mean number of blood vessels in three microscopic fieldswere provided with a magnification of 40 times on microscope slides. t-test, x2,mann whitney, and pearson correlation tests were used for the comparison oftnf-? and tgf-b1 levels in the mentioned lesions and the association betweencytokine levels and grade of inflammation and angiogenesis.results: tnf-? and tgf-b1 were observed in aspirated fluid of all radicular cystsand keratocysts. levels of tnf-? and tgf-b1 were found to be 6.72 ± 2.985 and5.882 ± 2.985 respectively in radicular cyst fluid and 24.759 ± 94.849 and 63.38 ±30.069 in keratocyst fluid; however, no statistically significant difference wasobserved in terms of tnf-? (p=0.450); increasing trend in tnf-? level inradicular cyst and keratocyst was accompanied by increased inflammation andangiogenesis (p < 0.001 and p=0.001).conclusions: tnf-? and tgf-b1 are involved in the pathogenesis of radicularcyst and keratocyst. tgf-b1 level was higher in radicular cyst when comparedwith keratocyst; however, tnf-? level was similar in the two lesions. a positivecorrelation was found between tnf-? level and grade of inflammation andangiogenesis.