Association of Oxidative Stress and Production of Inflammatory Mediators Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Interleukin 6: Systemic Events in Radicular Cysts

Background Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and antioxidants are associated with the pathogenesis of cysts and may initiate and sustain the formation of new capillaries. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the association of oxidative stress and the production of inflammatory mediators MMP-9 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in systemic events in radicular cyst growth. Materials and methods Fifty patients (34 men, 16 women) with periapical granulomas and radicular cysts were included in this cross-sectional study. Twenty subjects (12 men, eight women) with no signs of periodontal diseases were recruited as controls. Blood serum levels of MMP-9, IL-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were recorded. We also recorded body mass index (BMI) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. Results The mean age of the test group patients and control patients was 45.9 and 48.8 years, respectively. The BMI of test group patients (23.77± 3.88 kg/m(2)) was higher than that of the controls (27.98 ± 3.88 kg/m(2); p ≤ 0.000). Levels of serum MDA (p ≤ 0.033), IL-6 (p ≤ 0.041), TNF-alpha (p ≤ 0.004), and MMP-9 (p ≤ 0.033) were significantly increased in patients as compared with control values. SOD (p ≤ 0.003) and GPx (p ≤ 0.033) levels were significantly reduced in patients as compared with controls. Conclusion Oxidative imbalance and the increased production of inflammatory mediators may be associated with systemic events in radicular cysts. Bone-resorbing mediators and proinflammatory cytokines that were evaluated in the study (MMP-9, IL-6, C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha) were also elevated in the serum of the ailing group, thus documenting a well-established role for these circulating biochemical variables in the course of the progression and pathogenesis of radicular cyst development.