Bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a preliminary study of salivary interleukins.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this preliminary study was analyze the possible alterations in some salivary interleukins, usually associated with the inflammatory processes.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study comprised three groups: group 1, with 26 cases with bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). Group 2, with 29 patients who had received iBF but without BRONJ. Group 3, with 26 control patients not treated with BF and without oral lesions. We collected unstimulated whole saliva in all groups. A semiquantitative study was performed based on a cytokine array panel. We used the proteome profiler array for the study. We analyzed: Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β).

RESULTS

We found higher salivary values for all the cytokines studied in group 1 than in group 2 and 3. IL-1β showed the major differences compared with control group. (P < 0.05)

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study confirms that there are alterations in these interleukins in patients with BRONJ. These results give support to further additional salivary studies on these biomarkers by quantitative measures.