Objectives: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that has been demonstrated to have therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. However, how IL-10 acts to prevent inflammation has not been determined. Therefore, the goal of this project was to establish the effects of IL-10 treatment upon the release of proinflammatory cytokines during inflammation of the TMJ. Methods: Twenty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were sacrificed and TMJ tissues collected. The tissues were immediately placed into culture and randomly divided into groups (N=10) that were treated with either RPMI media (M) only, IL-10 (IL) only at 10 ng/ml, TNF-a (T) only at 50 ng/ml, or IL-10 at 10 ng/ml for 2 hours followed by 50 ng/ml of TNF-a (IL+T). The TMJ tissues were then collected, homogenized, and protein content determined via Lowry Assay. IL-1b and IL-6 levels were then measured using ELISA. Results: IL-1b levels were significantly increased after treatment with TNF-a in comparison to either media or IL-10 only (T:454.77 ± 32.91 vs. M:227.85 ± 21.33 or IL: 224.61 ± 28.55, p£0.01). The addition of IL-10 prior to inducing inflammation with TNF-a significantly reduced release of IL-1b (T:454.77 ± 32.91 vs. IL+T:287.14 ± 43.14, p£0.05). There were no significant differences noted between media only and IL-10 only. IL-6 levels were also significantly reduced when IL-10 was administered prior to the induction of inflammation with TNF-a (T:156.33 ± 17.16 vs. IL+T:97.68 ± 15.92, p£0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that IL-10 may have potential for reducing levels of inflammation by altering the release of proinflammatory cytokines from inflamed tissues of the TMJ. This study was supported in part by NIH/NIDCR Traineeship T35 DE07188 and the Baylor Oral Health Foundation.

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