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Abstract Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a persisting inflammatory keratotic disorder of oral mucous membranes. A series of studies have revealed the close relationship between chronic inflammation and oncogenesis. The world health organization (WHO) has grouped this lesion under the potentially malignant disorders (PMD) of the oral mucosa. The aim of this work was to estimate the level of salivary TNF-α in erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) patients with and without dysplasic changes. In this study, 21 subjects were selected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Oral Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University. Subjects included were divided into the following groups: group I: consisted of 7 patients diagnosed with EOLP. group II: consisted of 7 patients diagnosed with EOLP with dysplasic changes.group III: consisted of 7 healthy subjects as control group. EOLP lesions were diagnosed clinically and histologically. Saliva samples were obtained from all subjects and levels of TNF-α were estimated by ELISA method. Statistical analysis of the present study revealed a statistically significant increase in the salivary level of TNF-α in group I and group II when compared to control group. Moreover, a statistically significant increase in the level of salivary TNF-α was observed in group II when compared to group I. The results of this study suggested that TNF-α may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and carcinogenesis of EOLP, and the diagnostic potential of salivary TNF-α. |