Salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in patients with burning mouth syndrome

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Salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in patients with burning mouth syndrome

Accepted 16 May 2009.

Abstract
Objective

To compare salivary IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels between patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and controls.
Design

Forty female patients with BMS (mean age: 61.6±10.1 years) and 20 female control subjects (mean age: 65.1±9.0 years) were included in the study. Unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva samples (SWS) were collected and their flow rates were determined. Salivary IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels and total protein concentration were also determined. Salivary transferrin level was determined to investigate the level of blood contamination in saliva samples. Gingival index of the subjects was also examined. Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and analysis of covariance were used.
Results

No significant differences were found in the salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in BMS patients compared with controls. Salivary flow rates and their total protein concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups. The levels of salivary cytokines and total protein concentration correlated significantly with the level of blood contamination in both UWS and SWS.