Author/Authors :
Jamali, Zahra Department of Oral Medicine - Faculty of Dentistry - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Taghavi Zenouz, Ali Department of Oral Medicine - Faculty of Dentistry - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Pouralibaba, Firoz Department of Oral Medicine - Faculty of Dentistry - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Babaloo, Zohreh Department of Immunology - Faculty of Medicine - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Mehdipour, Masoumeh Department of Oral Medicine - Faculty of Dentistry - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz
Abstract :
Background and aims. The role of cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) has received much attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of TNF-α and TGF-β in patients with OLP in an Ira-nian population.
Materials and methods. Thirty-two patients with OLP and 32 age-matched healthy volunteers as a control group were included in this study. Serum tests including TNF-α and TGF-β was performed in both groups. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney U test using SPSS software version 16.0.
Results. The mean of TNF-α in study and control groups were 157 ± 115 pg/ml and 14 ± 10 pg/ml, respectively. The dif-ference between the two means was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean of TGF-β in study and control groups were 155 ± 26 pg/ml and 175 ± 57 pg/ml, respectively. The difference between the two means was statistically sig-nificant (P = 0.03).
Conclusion. According to the results of the present study, there was a significant decrease in the serum levels of TGF-β and a significant increase in the serum levels of TNF-α in patients with oral lichen planus. The increase in TNF-α serum levels in patients with OLP explains the inflammatory process in the course of the disease.