TNF and periodontitis: Severe periodontitis, both in patients with and without diabetes, has been associated with increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and proinflammatory mediators, including several interleukins (IL), such as IL-7, IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (4,10-15).