Estimation of Salivary Levels of Pro Inflammatory Cytokines (Interleukin-1α and Interleukin-8) in Iraqi Lichen Planus patients, the association of these parameters with dental plaques, gingivitis and smoking status

Abstract

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is chronic inflammatory disease of the oralmucosa whose etiology is still unknown but mounting evidence points to theimmunologic basis of this disorder.The aim of the present study was to assess the level of salivary IL-1α, IL- 8, salivaryflow rate (SFR), the plaque and gingival indices in lichen planus patients, and toassess their level pre and post treatment with topical steroid in study group, inaddition to the assessment of relation of smoking to these parameters in oral lichenplanus patients.Materials and methods: Whole saliva from fifteen (15) patients with oral lichenplanus, eighteen (18) healthy persons, were investigated for the presence of IL-1α, IL-8 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA). In addition, the flowrate of saliva (SFR) measured in both groups, plaque and gingival indices alsoassessed pre and post treatment.Results: The results showed a significant elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α , IL- 8, plaque and gingival indices in study group in comparison to controlgroup except the SFR where it was higher in control group than study group alsoshowed that some of these parameters significantly related to smoking statues.The studies parameters also showed significant variation after using of topical steroidin which the salivary level of cytokines IL-1 α , IL-8, plaque &Gingival indiceswere significantly decreased after treatment except SFR was significantly increaseafter treatment.Conclusion: Patients with oral lichen planus have had high levels of inflammatorycytokines in their saliva. The results also showed wide variations in levels amongpatients in pre and post treatment with steroid, in addition the level of proinflammatory cytokines significantly related to smoking status. The resultssuggest links between the proinflammatory cytokines ( IL-1 α , IL-8 ) from oneside and oral lichen planus disease, medication used for treatment and smokingstatus of the patients from another side.