Salivary Antioxidants Levels in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is one of the most common diseases of the oral mucosa, which exact pathogenesis remains unknown. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species could play an important role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the salivary levels of uric acid, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and albumin in the patients with oral lichen planus and healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with oral lichen planus and 30 healthy subjects, who were matched for age and sex, were enrolled in this case-control study. The salivary concentration of uric acid, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and albumin were examined in these individuals using the spectrophotometry and coulometric technique. The data were analyzed through Mann-Whitney test and T test by SPSS software (ver. 19). RESULTS: Salivary uric acid and albumin levels in patients with oral lichen planus and healthy controls were not statistically different (p > 0.05); however, the concentrations of salivary superoxide dismutase in OLP patients (660.4 ± 266.4 U/g protein) and healthy controls (935.73 ± 561.9 U/g protein) were significantly different (p < 0/05). Also, salivary glutathione peroxidase levels in healthy controls (1049.98 ± 964.56 mU/mL) were remarkably higher than OLP patients (244.12 ± 170.78 mU/mL) (p < 0/001). CONCLUSION: The salivary superoxide dismutase concentration, as an indicator of antioxidant system, in OLP patients was significantly higher than healthy subjects. The glutathione peroxidase levels in these patients were remarkably lower than healthy controls. It is suggestive that these markers could be effective in pathogenesis of OLP.