Evaluation of the fatty acid composition inoral reactive lesions

Abstract

Oral reactive lesions are the most common oral cavity lesions that represent a reactive hyperplasia of connective tissue in response to local stimulations. Fatty acids play an important role in the hyperplasia with change in cells functions, such as altering receptor activity, signaling or activation of transcription factors, and the production of lipid mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The aim of this study was to investigate composition of fatty acid in the healthy marginal and reactive oral tissues. Methods: Marginal healthy and reactive tissues from 27 patients were included in this study. Paired samples collected from each patient. Fatty acid composition of the samples were determined by gas chromatography and the obtained profile was compared in reactive lesions and marginal tissues. Results: There were significant differences between the content of myristic acid (p = 0.02), palmitoleic acid (p < 0.01), linoleic acid (p < 0.01), stearic acid (p < 0.01) and arachidonic acid (p < 0.01) in the reactive and marginal tissues. Whereas the levels of stearic acid (1.8 times) and arachidonic (1.4 times) acid were elevated in the reactive lesions, there was a decrease in myristic acid (0.8 times), palmitoleic acid (0.59 times) and linoleic acid (0.82 times) concentrations. In the studied patients, BMI was associated with linoleic acid (p= 0.03 , r=0.42) in marginal tissues, and palmitoleic acid (p= 0.03 , r=0.42) in reactive lesions. Study results also showed a relation between where patients live and trans palmitoleic acid (p=0.36 , r=-0.19) level in reactive lesions, so that it has an increased level in rural patients. Conclusion: There was significant deference in fatty acid composition, specially increased stearic acid and arachidonic acid and decreased myristic acid, palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid in oral reactive tissues. According to these findings, observed changes in tissue fatty acid composition play an important role in pathology of oral reactive lesions.