Thus, alcohol could weaken neutrophil function, leading to bacterial overgrowth and increasing bacterial penetration, which could result in periodontal inflammation; (ii) alcohol intake could result in toxic effects on periodontium and may make a reduction in monocyte production of inflammatory cytokines which are possibly beneficial to microbial proliferation; (iii) the inflammatory cytokines such as TNFa, IL-1 and IL-6 released by monocyte in gingival crevice have been proved to be interrelated in periodontitis development.” The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is periodontitis.