RESUMO
An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay ELISA was used to determine the serum concentration of interleukin 8 and auto antibodies to interleukin 8 in fifteen patients with oral lichen planus only, seven patients with oral and skin lichen planus as well as ten healthy control subjects. Interleukin 8 was detectable in the serum of eleven of fifteen patients with lichen planus and five of seven patients with oral and skin lichen planus but none of the healthy controls showed detectable serum interleukin 8. Significantly, elevated auto antibodies to interleukin 8 were detected in two patients groups. However, their values did not correlate significantly with clinical condition of the disease including affected side; distribution and the duration. The results of this work may [lend] support the role of immune mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of oral lichen planus