TNF and ischemic stroke: We found significantly higher levels of salivary pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, TNF-β), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ra, TRAIL), Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12 (p40)), and Th2 cytokines (IL-6) in patients with ischemic stroke compared to healthy participants.