Assessment of serum interleukin-8 as a sensitive serological marker in monitoring the therapeutic effect of levamisole in recurrent aphthous ulcers: A randomized control study.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was designed to evaluate the serum interleukin‑8 (IL‑8) levels in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and monitor the immunomodulation and altered IL‑8 levels by levamisole before therapy and after levamisole therapy. Materials and Methods: This study was carried as a randomized case‑control study involving a study group of 30 patients diagnosed as RAUs and given levamisole (vermisole 150 mg, od for 1st 3 days of 3 weeks in a month and for 3 months with a gap of 1 week) and these patients were recalled after 3 months and were subjected for estimation of serum IL‑8 levels. Control group had 20 age and sex matched individuals with no systemic illness and were not given any levamisole. Good compliance was reported at the end of the study. Results: Mild gastric irritation was reported and when severe it was managed by H1 blocker. Patients were reviewed after 3 months. The follow‑up data at each visit with respect to each other and to base‑line values was calibrated using a Students t‑test. Highly significant comparisons were obtained in the serum IL‑8 between study and control groups before the onset of levamisole (t = 6.53, P ≤ 0.001). IL‑8 levels reduced by 72% after levamisole was instituted in RAU patients and comparison was highly significant for before and after levamisole onset (t = 5.54, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: This study points to the effectiveness of levamisole as an effective adjunct therapy in the routine management of RAU.