Estimation and Comparison of Levels of Salivary Nitric Oxide in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Controls

BACKGROUND: Normal salivary function is considered to be critical for the maintenance of healthy oral mucosa. Oral fluids provide an easily available, non-invasive medium for the diagnosis of wide range of diseases and clinical situations. The objective of this study was to estimate and compare salivary nitric oxide levels in patients with oral lichen planus and healthy individuals. METHODS: Saliva was collected by spitting method. Unstimulated whole saliva thus collected was refrigerated at 4°C, and processed within 24 h for the estimation of nitric oxide levels which was done using Griess reaction. The results were analyzed using Student's “t” test. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in the levels of salivary nitric oxide between the study and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clearly indicates a significant increase in salivary nitric oxide levels in oral lichen planus patients as compared to controls.