Abstract

Introduction/Aim. Chronic apical periodontitis represents dynamic continuation of the presence of endodontic infection in the root canal system of the tooth, when the innate and acquired immune responses are activated and various cells and inflammatory mediators are recruited, which cause the consequent destruction of periapical tissues and the development of periapical lesions. The aim of the study was to analyze the concentration of IL-8 in tissue homogenates of periapical lesions and to compare the obtained results with the symptomatology of the patients and the size of the lesion. Methods. A total of 93 tissue samples of chronic periapical lesions were analyzed in this study. In relation to the clinical symptoms, the samples were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic, and according to the size, into large and small lesions. The concentration of IL-8 was examined using an ELISA test. Results. The results showed a significantly higher concentration of IL-8 in symptomatic periapical lesions compared to asymptomatic ones (p < 0.001). The concentrations of this chemokine was also significantly higher in the large lesions when compared to the small ones (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The elevated concentration of IL-8 in periapical lesions with pronounced clinical symptomatology as well as in large lesions specify that IL-8 is a dominant chemokine that contributes to the development of periapical inflammation and clinical progression of periapical lesions.

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