Oxidative stress markers in oral lichen planus

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Battino, M. | Greabu, M. | Totan, A. | Bullon, P. | Bucur, A. | Tovaru, S. | Mohora, M. | Didilescu, A. | Parlatescu, I. | Spinu, T. | Totan, C.

Affiliations: Department of Biochemistry, Biology & Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy | Department of Biochemistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania | Department of Periodontology, Dental School, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain | Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania | Department of Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania | Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania | Department of Prosthodontics and Fixed Occlusion, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Faculty of General Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Prof. Maurizio Battino, PhD, DSc, MD (Hon), Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Ranieri, 65, 60100 Ancona, Italy. Fax: +39 071 2204398; E-mail: m.a.battino@univpm.it

Abstract: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common disorder whose cause is still unknown. Oral cancer is preceded in most cases by pre malignant lesions-leukoplasia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species play important roles in both pathogenesis of lichen planus and carcinogenesis. Thus monitoring systemic and saliva compounds important for the antioxidant defence (oxidative balance) could be important for the clinician's treatment strategy. Thorough medical management and early active treatment are necessary to improve symptoms and might also be a relevant prevention strategy from squamous cell carcinoma risk, although data to fully support this statement still need investigation. The principal aim of this study was to determine the systemic uric acid, GGT, and albumin levels as well as the levels of uric acid and albumin in 20 patients diagnosed with lichen planus and 20 controls. Extensive medline search failed to reveal any study of this type. Our results showed a significant decrease of saliva (p < 0.005) uric acid and an increase in serum gamma glutamyl transpherase (GGT) (p < 0.01) as well as in the total antioxidant capacity of saliva in patient group with respect to the control one. The preliminary conclusion of our study is that uric acid, the most important salivary antioxidant and GGT could be considered in the future as useful markers of oxidative stress for elaboration of treatment strategy and monitoring.

Keywords: Oxidative stress, oral lichen planus, saliva markers

Journal: BioFactors, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 301-310, 2008