Interleukin 1-beta in symptomatic and asymptomatic human periradicular lesions.

Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) has been shown to be a potent mediator of bone resorption and has been implicated in resorption in periradicular lesions. In this study we compared the local concentrations of IL-1 beta in symptomatic and asymptomatic human periradicular lesions. Periradicular tissues from patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions were obtained and stored at -70 degrees C. Pulpal tissues from unerupted third molars and chronically inflamed gingival tissues were also obtained and used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Tissue samples were homogenized, and supernatants were assayed for IL-1 beta by the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Significantly higher levels of IL-1 beta were found in symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions and inflamed gingival tissues compared with uninflamed pulp tissues. There was a trend toward higher levels of IL-1 beta in symptomatic lesions compared with asymptomatic lesions, but the difference was not significant. The results suggest that IL-1 beta may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of human periradicular lesions.