The TNFα mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in the group treated with the association of tucum-do-cerrado diet with AOM injection (TU/DR) compared with the group treated with the control diet + AOM injection (CT/DR), even though tucum-do-cerrado consumption (TU) and AOM injection (CT/DR) did not alter this biomaker. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infectious otitis media.