title: Effects of calcium hydroxide on cytokine expression in endodontic infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of calcium hydroxide is an effective step in killing bacteria that remain after cleaning and shaping procedures. It also induces hard-tissue formation and is effective for stopping inflammatory exudates.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to assay and to compare the influence of calcium hydroxide on periapical interstitial fluid from human root canals. The mRNA expression levels of the cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, and IL-10 as well as the chemokine MCP-1 were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction immediately after root canal cleaning and 15 days later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-10, and the chemokine CCL2/MCP-1 were increased in teeth without endodontic dressings. With calcium hydroxide interappointment dressings, no statistically significant changes were observed in cytokine mRNA expression. However, when comparing teeth that received the medication with those that did not, expression levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-10 were statistically lower in those teeth that received calcium hydroxide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analyses of cytokines and the chemokine CCL-2/MCP-1 demonstrated the benefits of calcium hydroxide as a root canal dressing because it impedes the increase of all mediators during the experimental time.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Warley Luciano Fonseca
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Luciana Carla Neves
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Brito
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos Feitosa
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Henriques
authors.forename: Flávia Rocha Fonseca
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.forename: Ricardo Palmier
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.forename: Leda Quércia
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Antônio Paulino
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro Sobrinho
mesh_terms: D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D016207:Cytokines; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide