Evaluation of relationship between inter loukin-17 serum levels and oral lichen planus lesions

Abstract

Lichen planus is a relatively common mucocutaneous lesion, which usually afflicts oral mucous tissues, too. It is considered a pre-malignant and important lesion with an unknown etiology. Various factors, including genetic predisposition, autoimmune disorders, and viral and bacterial infections might be involved in the etiology of lichen planus. Regarding numerous studies on the immunologic factors involved in the etiology of lichen planus, the present study evaluated the relationship between the serum levels of interleukin-17 and lichen planus; interleukin-17 has recently been classified as the third subdivision of T cells and has a significant role in controlling immunologic and inflammatory responses. The results of the present study can help determine the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of lichen planus. Materials and methods: Twenty patients with oral lichen planus were included in the present study; 20 healthy individuals without any signs of lichen planus comprised the control group. Blood samples of the subjects underwent ELISA, using special kits, to determine interleukin-17 serum levels. Data was analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test with SPSS 16 software. Results: The results demonstrated higher serum levels of interleukin-17 in subjects with lichen planus (148.00 pg/mL) compared to healthy individuals (13.55 pg/mL), with statistically significant differences (p=0.001). Conclusion: The high serum levels of interleukin-17 in oral lichen planus patients might demonstrate the role of this factor in the etiology of the lesion