Evaluation of serum TNF-a , TGF- in patient with oral lichen planus

Abstract

Oral lichen planus is a relatively common chronic oral mucosal disease of unknown etiology. The research in this field until now has been continued. One of the research field that received much attention focuses on the role of cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of OLP. The results of some previous researches revealed remarkable increase in serum and salivary TNF- and IL-1,6, 8. Material and Method: 32 patients with active lesions of OLP and 32 age-matched healthy volunteers served as a control group were included in this study. Serum test consisting TNF- and TGF- was performed in both groups. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS/win 14. Results:The mean of TNF- in study and control groups were 157115 (pg/ml) and 1410 (pg/ml) respectively. The difference between the two means was statistically significant (p<0.001). Moreover the mean of TGF- in study and control groups were 15526 (pg/ml) and 17557 (pg/ml) respectively. The difference between the two means was statistically significant (p=0.03). Discussion: A number of investigations have demonstrated that TNF- regulate and triggers the secretion and activation of matrix metalloproteinases which along with chymase and tryptase degrades the basement membrane structural proteins resulting in basement membrane breaks. TGF- induced extra-cellular protein synthesis including collagen and cellular receptors of matrix proteins (e.g. integrins ) which in turn results in tissue healing.