Evaluation of cytokine expressions in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the expression levels of various T helper (Th) cell-secreted cytokines in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Case-control studies comparing the serum or salivary levels of cytokines between RAS patients and healthy controls were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar prior to September 30, 2023. Cytokines produced by Th1 (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interferon gamma [IFN-γ]), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13), and Th17 (IL-17A) cells were investigated. The standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to detect the difference. A total of 20 studies comprising 1070 RAS patients and 536 healthy controls were included. RAS patients had significantly higher salivary levels of IL-2 (SMD = 4.15, 95%CI 0.83-7.48), IL-5 (SMD = 0.53, 95%CI 0.05-1.00), IL-6 (SMD = 0.48, 95%CI 0.12-0.84), IL-12 (SMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.18-1.71), and TNF-α (SMD = 1.31, 95%CI 0.44-2.18) compared to healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-6 (SMD = 0.48, 95%CI 0.30-0.66), TNF-α (SMD = 0.70, 95%CI 0.22-1.17), and IFN-γ (SMD = 0.72, 95%CI 0.17-1.28) were significantly increased, while serum IL-10 levels (SMD = -2.25, 95%CI -3.99 to -0.52) were reduced in RAS patients. Patients diagnosed with major RAS had markedly elevated serum IL-8 levels (SMD = 0.39, 95%CI 0.07-0.71) and a trend toward higher serum IL-6 levels (SMD = 0.51, 95%CI -0.02 to 1.04) than those with minor RAS. In conclusion, Th1/Th2-related cytokines, especially IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, are involved in the pathogenesis of RAS development and progression and are potential therapeutic targets for RAS.

Galectin-3: a new biomarker for differentiating periodic fever, adenitis, pharyngitis, aphthous stomatitis (PFAPA) syndrome from familial Mediterranean fever?

Differentiating PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthosis, pharyngitis, and adenitis) syndrome from familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) could be challenging in some cases. Galectin-3 is a lectin with regulatory functions in apoptosis and inflammation. We aimed to test whether galectin-3 could be a biomarker for differentiating PFAPA syndrome from FMF. Patients with PFAPA syndrome, FMF, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), and streptococcal pharyngitis, and healthy controls were included in this study. Serum galectin-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Eighty-seven patients (36 with PFAPA, 39 with FMF, 8 with CAPS, 4 with streptococcal pharyngitis), and 17 healthy controls were included. Blood samples were drawn during attacks from 20 PFAPA and 7 FMF patients and attack-free periods from 22 PFAPA, 35 FMF, and 8 CAPS patients. The median serum galectin-3 level in the PFAPA-attack group (1.025 ng/ml) was significantly lower than the levels in healthy control (2.367 ng/ml), streptococcal pharyngitis (3.021 ng/ml), FMF attack (2.402 ng/ml), and FMF-attack-free groups (2.797 ng/ml) (p = 0.006, 0.03, 0.01, and < 0.001, respectively). PFAPA-attack-free group had lower galectin-3 levels than the FMF-attack-free group (1.794 vs. 2.797 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.01). Galectin-3 levels did not differ significantly between CAPS and attack-free PFAPA patients (1.439 ng/ml vs. 1.794 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.63). In our study, for the first time, we defined galectin-3 as a promising biomarker that differs between PFAPA and FMF patients during both disease flares and attack-free periods. Further studies with high number of patients could validate its role as a biomarker.

Mannose-binding lectin serum levels and (Gly54asp) gene polymorphism in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A case-control study.

Objectives: Dysregulation of the immune response appears to play a significant role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) development. The main objective of this case-control study is to investigate the blood levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the frequency of the MBL2 gene (gly54asp) polymorphism in RAS patients, including 40 RAS patients and 40 healthy controls. Methods: Serum MBL levels were determined by ELISA, while the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used in MBL2 genotyping. Results: The median serum MBL level was significantly lower in the RAS group than in the control group (975 ng/mL (545-1320) vs. 1760 ng/mL (1254-2134); p≤ 0.001). The MBL levels were significantly lower in the BB genotype, whereas they were significantly higher in the wild type AA with a median of 525 and 1340 ng/mL, respectively (p =0.005). The B allele was expressed in significantly higher percentages of RAS patients than in controls. There was no significant association between MBL serum levels (p=0.685) or MBL2 codon 54 genotypes (p=0.382) with the type of ulcers. Conclusion: There was an association between low MBL serum levels and the variant allele B of the MBL2 (gly54asp) gene, and the susceptibility to RAS. As a result, potential novel therapeutic options for RAS patients with MBL deficiency should be investigated.

Saliva and Serum Cytokine Profiles During Oral Ulceration in Behçet's Disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multi-systemic disorder of unknown aetiology typified by recurrent oral and genital mucocutaneous lesions, uveitis and vasculitis. Innate and adaptive immune system dysregulation has been implicated in pathogenesis with alterations in serum cytokine profiles. Few studies have investigated salivary cytokines in BD, despite more than 90% of BD patients first presenting with oral ulceration. The aim of this pilot study was twofold; firstly to investigate whether cytokine levels in matched serum and saliva samples show a differential profile in BD (with and without oral ulcers), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and healthy controls (HCs), and secondly, to explore if any differential profiles in serum and/or saliva could provide a panel of cytokines with diagnostic and therapeutic potential for BD. Concentrations of 12 cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TNF-ß) were measured using the Human Th1/Th2 11-Plex FlowCytomix™ kit with IL-17A, in BD (N=20), RAS (N=6) and HCs (N=10). A differential range of cytokines was detected in serum and saliva with the majority of cytokine levels higher in saliva. The most prevalent salivary cytokines were IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α present in all samples in contrast to serum where the most prevalent cytokine detected was IL-8 (91.9%). The least abundant cytokine was IFN-γ in both saliva (43.2%) and serum (2.7%). After normalizing saliva for protein content, BD patients with oral ulcers (BD-MA) had significantly higher levels of salivary IL-1ß (p=0.01), IL-8 (p=0.02), TNF-α (p=0.004) and IL-6 (p=0.01) than HCs. Notably, BD patients without oral ulcers (BD-MQ) also had significantly higher salivary IL-1ß, IL-8 and TNF-α (p ≤ 0.05) than HCs. During relapsed (BD-RE) and quiet (BD-Q) systemic episodes, salivary IL-ß and TNF-α were also significantly increased with IL-8 significantly higher only in BD-Q (p=0.02). BD oral ulcers signify a potential reactivation of systemic inflammation. Identifying cytokines released during asymptomatic episodes and oral ulceration might lead to targeted drug therapy to prevent recurrent oral ulcers and possible disease relapse. This is the first study to report salivary cytokine levels in BD. The detectable levels suggests cytokine profiling of BD saliva may provide an alternative, less invasive, sensitive procedure for frequent monitoring of disease activity and progression.

Celiac disease and hematological abnormalities in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common diseases of the oral mucosa and may be related to vitamin deficiencies or systemic diseases such as celiac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of hematinic deficiency and CD in children with RAS. METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with RAS were reviewed for the presence of hematinic deficiencies (hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin, vitamin B12 , folic acid), and CD. The study group included 108 children with RAS and 57 healthy children who were evaluated for hematological abnormalities in routine evaluation. RESULTS: The frequency of a family history of RAS was significantly higher in the RAS group compared to the control group (34.2% vs 7%, respectively; P < 0.001). A hematological abnormality was detected in 32.4% of the RAS group and 10.5% of the control group (P = 0.02). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was significantly higher in the RAS group (P = 0.037). Three (2.7%) patients with RAS were diagnosed with CD, which is a significantly higher frequency than that observed in healthy children in Turkey (P < 0.01; OR 6.03, 95% CI [2.37, 4.56]). These children had mild malnutrition, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Children with RAS should be evaluated for nutritional status and hematological indices, and in the case of hematological abnormalities and malnutrition screening for CD should be considered.

LncRNA CASC 2 is upregulated in aphthous stomatitis and predicts the recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral disease with unknown molecular pathogenesis. Our preliminary microarray analysis revealed the altered expression of lncRNA Cancer Susceptibility Gene 2 (CASC2) in RAS. We therefore analyzed the role of CASC2 in RAS. METHODS: In this study, plasma samples were obtained from RAS patients and healthy participants. Plasma levels of CASC2 were measured by RT-qPCR. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A follow-up study was performed to analyze the role of CASC2 in the recurrence of RAS. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that lncRNA Cancer Susceptibility Gene 2 (CASC2), as well as pro-inflammatory factors interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 18 (IL-18), were upregulated in plasma of RAS patients compared with healthy participants. Plasma levels of lncRNA CASC2 were positively correlated with plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 in RAS patients but not in healthy participants. Compared with pre-treatment levels, plasma levels of lncRNA CASC2, IL-6 and IL-18 were reduced after recovery. A follow-up study showed that patients with high levels of lncRNA CASC2 had a significantly higher recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: LncRNA CASC 2 is upregulated in RAS and predicts the recurrence.

Serum prolidase and oxidative stress levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a prospective, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common disease characterized by single or multiple, self-healing, well-circumscribed, periodic ulcers occurring in the oral cavity. Although the relationship between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oxidative stress has been extensively reviewed in the past, its relationship with prolidase enzyme levels has not been previously investigated. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate plasma antioxidant status and prolidase enzyme levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. METHODS: The serum total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, prolidase and paraoxonase levels of 34 recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients (mean age 35.1) and 34 healthy controls (mean age 37.7) were compared in this study. RESULTS: Total oxidant status was significantly higher in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group (P < 0.005). The mean total oxidant status value was 5.19 mmol/L in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group, while it was 2.90 mmol/L in the control group. Oxidative stress index was significantly higher in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group (P = 0.016*). The mean oxidative stress index level was 0.28 AU in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group, while it was 0.18 AU in the control group. When control and patient groups were compared, there was no significant difference between groups with regard to the total antioxidant status (P = 0.343). The total antioxidant status levels were 1.09 and 1.14 mmol/L in control and patient groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between PON1 levels of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and control groups (P = 0.218). Mean PON1 levels were 326 U/L in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group and 381 U/L in the control group. Prolidase levels were not significantly different between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and control groups (P = 0.955). The mean prolidase level was 219.79 U/L in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group and 219.26 U/L in the control group. LIMITATIONS: The limitation of this study is the small size of both patient and control groups and exclusion of pediatric patients., Similar studies performed in pediatric patient populations with a comparison to adults may be useful in providing meaningful results. CONCLUSIONS: We detected that the total oxidant status and oxidative stress index was higher in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis as compared to healthy controls. We could not demonstrate a significant difference in total antioxidant status, PON1 and prolidase values.

Vitamin D Levels in Children With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosa diseases and the etiology is unclear. As a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agent, vitamin D can significantly affect oral cavity homeostasis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted in pediatric population on the potential role of vitamin D in recurrent aphthous stomatitis to date. The aim of the present study is to determine the vitamin D status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis in children. METHODS: This study is conducted retrospectively. Seventy-two patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 70 age-matched healthy controls included in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured in all patients using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Serum vitamin D levels were 16.4 (8.6) ng/mL in patient group and 23.1 (11.5) ng/mL in healthy controls. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum vitamin D levels (P = .002). There was no significant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis (r = 0.54, P = .76). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and the healthy control group. We also found no correlation between vitamin D status and the severity of the disease.

A novel prognostic biomarker for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: calprotectin.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether there is a correlation between serum calprotectin concentration and oral ulcer activity in patients with active recurrent aphthous stomatitis. METHOD: This prospective, cross-sectional, historical cohort study included 52 patients (26 with active lesions and 26 with inactive lesions) with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 27 healthy volunteers. The relationship between the groups was statistically evaluated in terms of serum calprotectin level and other inflammatory parameters. RESULTS: The median calprotectin value of the active lesion group (80.5 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of the control group (55.4 ng/ml, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the median calprotectin value of the active lesion group was significantly higher than that of the inactive lesion group (72.5 ng/ml, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and active ulcer lesions, the serum calprotectin value can be used as a reliable and robust prognostic marker for inflammation.

Clinical features and new diagnostic criteria for the syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis.

AIM: The syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) is a common inflammatory disease that presents with periodic fever. We aimed to establish more specific diagnostic criteria for PFAPA based on the clinical characteristics of PFAPA patients in our directory. METHOD: The clinical, laboratory, genetic, and family history details of 257 Japanese PFAPA patients treated at our and other affiliated hospitals between April 2000 and April 2018 were analyzed along with quantitative measurements of the number of CD64 molecules on neutrophils, and the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines. The sensitivity and specificity of the criteria were calculated for several diseases. RESULTS: Because recurrent fevers were crucial findings, they were defined as the required criterion. Tonsillitis/pharyngitis with white moss were important accompanying signs. Other symptoms associated with febrile episodes were cervical lymphadenitis with tenderness, aphthous stomatitis, sore throat, vomiting, and headache but not cough. A total of 159 (62%) patients had a family history of recurrent fevers, indicating autosomal dominant inheritance. C-reactive protein levels were extremely elevated during febrile attacks but normal in attack-free periods. Serum immunoglobulin D levels were high in 72 of the 199 tested patients. Oral glucocorticoid and cimetidine were extremely effective in all and 51.6% of the patients, respectively. We defined the above as supportive criteria. These criteria were sensitive and specific enough to distinguish PFAPA from other recurrent fever diseases. Raised serum interferon-γ levels and remarkable CD64 expression on neutrophils during flare-ups were recognized, indicating they contributed to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our new criteria are useful for diagnosing PFAPA.

Serum levels of total antioxidant status, nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common inflammatory ulcerative conditions of oral cavity with uncertain etiology. Several studies have reported that oxidative stress may be associated with RAS. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in minor RAS (MiRAS) patients with healthy individuals and determine the possible association of MiRAS with the 3 physiological parameters mentioned above. METHODS: Ninety patients with idiopathic MiRAS and 90 race-, age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this study. All these subjects were allocated to 3 groups: MiRAS patients in the active stage (Group A); the same MiRAS patients in Group A in the inactive stage (Group B); healthy individuals without MiRAS (Group C). Serum levels of TAS, NO and NOS were determined by the spectrophotometric method. Independent sample t test and paired t test were performed for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Serum TAS level of Group A was significantly decreased than that of Group C, whereas the serum level of NO was significantly higher in Group A as compared to Group C (P < .05). The serum levels of TAS and NO in Group B were no significant differences when compared with those in Group A or Group C. No significant differences in NOS activities were also found between the 3 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: MiRAS is associated with decreased TAS and increased NO levels, but NOS may not play an important role in the aetiopathogenesis.

Hematinic deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia in gastric parietal cell antibody-positive or gastric and thyroid autoantibodies-negative Behcet's disease patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Our previous study found that 9 of 63 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)/Behcet's disease (BD) patients have serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity. This study assessed whether serum GPCA positivity or RAS/BD itself was a significant factor causing hematinic deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia in GPCA-positive RAS/BD (GPCA+RAS/BD) or gastric and thyroid autoantibodies-negative RAS/BD (Abs-RAS/BD) patients. METHODS: The mean blood hemoglobin (Hb), iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine levels were measured and compared between any two of three groups of 9 GPCA+RAS/BD patients, 41 Abs-RAS/BD patients, and 126 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: GPCA+RAS/BD patients had significantly lower mean blood Hb (for men only), iron (for men only), and vitamin B12 levels as well as a significantly higher mean serum homocysteine level than 126 healthy control subjects. Moreover, GPCA+RAS/BD patients had significantly greater frequencies of blood Hb, iron, and vitamin B12 deficiencies and of hyperhomocysteinemia than healthy control subjects. GPCA+RAS/BD patients did have a significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 level and a significantly higher mean serum homocysteine level as well as significantly greater frequencies of vitamin B12 deficiency and of hyperhomocysteinemia than Abs-RAS/BD patients. Moreover, Abs-RAS/BD patients did have significantly lower mean blood Hb, iron, and folic acid levels and significantly greater frequencies of blood Hb and iron deficiencies than healthy control subjects. CONCLUSION: The GPCA is a major factor causing vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocyteinemia in GPCA+RAS/BD patients. RAS/BD itself does play a significant role in causing anemia and hematinic deficiencies in both GPCA+RAS/BD and Abs-RAS/BD patients.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis - Etiology, serum autoantibodies, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and management.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases characterized by recurrent and painful ulcerations on the movable or nonkeratinized oral mucosae. Clinically, three types of RAS, namely minor, major, and herpetiform types, can be identified. RAS more commonly affects labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, and tongue. Previous studies indicate that RAS is a multifactorial T cell-mediated immune-dysregulated disease. Factors that modify the immunologic responses in RAS include genetic predisposition, viral and bacterial infections, food allergies, vitamin and microelement deficiencies, systemic diseases, hormonal imbalance, mechanical injuries, and stress. Our previous study found the presence of serum gastric parietal cell antibody, thyroglobulin antibody, and thyroid microsomal antibody in 13.0%, 19.4%, and 19.7% of 355 RAS patients, respectively. We also found anemia, serum iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in 20.9%, 20.1%, 4.8%, 2.6%, and 7.7% of 273 RAS patients, respectively. Therefore, it is very important to examine the complete blood count, serum autoantibody, hematinic, and homocysteine levels in RAS patients before we start to offer treatments for RAS. Because RAS is an immunologically-mediated disease, topical and systemic corticosteroid therapies are the main treatments of choice for RAS.

Establishment of Role of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis-A Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a vesiculobul-lous disease characterized by painful ulcers in the oral cavity. The role of interleukins such as IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in initiating disease demands careful assessment. The present study was conducted to determine the level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. An equal number of age and gender-matched subjects (40) was included as a control. They were divided into 2 age groups from 20 to 40 years and 40 to 60 years. All were made to sit comfortably on a dental chair, and 1 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected in a sterile tube to assess the level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 using ELISA. The level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 was measured in pg/mL. RESULTS: Each group had 10 males and 10 females. The difference was non-significant (P-1). Age group 20-40 years comprised of 14 patients in group I (eight males and six females) and 12 in group II (five males and seven females). Age group 40-60 years had six patients in group I (two males and four females) and 8 patients in group II (five males and three females). The difference was significant (p < 0.05). The most common form was minor (82%) followed by herpetiform (13%) and major (5%). In group I, the mean value of IL-2 level was 32.24 pg/mL, IL-10 was 1.24 ± 0.6 and IL-12 was 28.34 ± 4.04 and in group II, mean value of IL-2 level was 12.10 pg/mL, IL-10 was 2.56 ± 1.12 and IL-12 was 23.16 ± 4.16. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age group 20 to 40 years showed higher prevalence. The level of IL-2 and IL-12 is highly increased while IL-10 is decreased in patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Role of interleukins as a precipitating factor along with stress is well established. With the thorough knowledge of the disease process, the newer treatment modality specific against interleukins may be proven useful in controlling the disease.

Vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Lower serum vitamin D levels, a major public health problem worldwide, has been found to be associated with various infectious diseases, cancers, autoimmune and dermatological diseases. The serum levels of vitamin D in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis are not clear. We investigated the vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. METHODS: Forty patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (Group I) and 70 healthy controls (Group II) included in the study. The characteristics of aphthous lesions (duration of disease and remission, frequency, diameter and number of the lesions) and demographics of the participants were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence binding method. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.06) and sex (p = 0.4). Other baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The mean diameter of aphthous lesions was 0.5 (0.4-0.6) cm and the mean number of lesions was 2.2 ± 1.5. Serum vitamin D levels were 11 ± 7.04 ng/ml in Group I and 16.4 ± 10.19 ng/ml in Group II. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed lower vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis compared to healthy controls.

[Assessment of mental health status and plasma catecholamine levels in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer].

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between mental health and recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), and to explore the change of plasma catecholamine level in RAU patients. METHODS: Thirty RAU patients treated in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University from February 2016 to August 2016 were selected as the experimental group, and 30 healthy people with matched age and gender were selected as the control group. Patients in both groups were asked to fill in the psychological scales for researchers to analyze their mental state, including Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Whole blood samples were taken from the selected subjects around 9 am to 10 am. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the plasma catecholamine level. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: The results of SAS and SDS showed that the standard scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01), analysis of plasma catecholamine level showed that adrenaline level in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). Analysis of the plasma adrenaline level and standard scores of both psychological scales showed that they had significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a close relationship between the development of RAU and the mental state of patients. Meanwhile, plasma adrenaline level significantly increases in patients with RAU.

Gastric parietal cell and thyroid autoantibodies in recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients with concomitant oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA), thyroglobulin antibody (TGA), and thyroid microsomal antibody (TMA) have not yet been reported in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients with concomitant oral lichen planus (OLP/RAS patients). This study mainly assessed the frequencies of serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA (GPCA/TGA/TMA) positivities in 44 OLP/RAS patients. METHODS: The frequencies of serum GPCA/TGA/TMA positivities in 44 OLP/RAS patients, OLP/RAS patients of four different subgroups, 520 RAS patients, and 352 healthy control subjects were calculated and compared. RESULTS: We found that 20.5%, 27.3%, and 31.8% of 44 OLP/RAS patients, 75.0%, 100.0%, and 100.0% of 4 OLP/major-typed RAS (OLP/major RAS) patients, 15.0%, 20.0%, and 25.0% of 40 OLP/minor-typed RAS (OLP/minor RAS) patients, 45.5%, 72.7%, and 54.5% of 11 atrophic glossitis-positive OLP/RAS (AG+OLP/RAS) patients, and 12.1%, 12.1%, and 24.2% of 33 AG-negative OLP/RAS (AGÖ¾OLP/RAS) patients had the presence of GPCA, TGA, and TMA in their sera, respectively. OLP/RAS patients and OLP/RAS patients of four different subgroups all had significantly higher frequencies of GPCA/TGA/TMA positivities than healthy control subjects. Moreover, OLP/RAS patients had a significantly higher frequency of TMA positivity than RAS patients, and OLP/major RAS and AG+OLP/RAS patients had significantly higher frequencies of GPCA/TGA/TMA positivities than RAS patients. Furthermore, OLP/major RAS patients had significantly higher frequencies of GPCA/TGA/TMA positivities than OLP/minor RAS patients. CONCLUSION: For OLP/RAS patients, the concomitant OLP may play a role in causing an increased frequency of TMA positivity, and major RAS and the concomitant AG are contributory factors causing the elevated frequencies of GPCA/TGA/TMA positivities.

Gastric parietal cell and thyroid autoantibodies in patients with Behcet's disease.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA), thyroglobulin antibody (TGA), and thyroid microsomal antibody (TMA) were rarely examined in Behcet's disease (BD) patients. This study mainly assessed the frequencies of serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA positivities in 63 BD patients. METHODS: The frequencies of serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA positivities in 63 BD patients, 19 major-typed recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)/BD (major RAS/BD) patients, 44 minor-typed RAS/BD (minor RAS/BD) patients, 520 RAS patients, and 126 healthy control subjects were calculated and compared. RESULTS: We found that 14.3%, 20.6%, and 20.6% of 63 BD patients, 21.1%, 21.1%, and 26.3% of 19 major RAS/BD patients, 11.4%, 20.5%, and 18.2% of 44 minor RAS/BD patients, 11.5%, 18.5%, and 18.3% of 520 RAS patients, and 1.6%, 2.4%, and 2.4% of 126 healthy control subjects had serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA positivities, respectively. BD, major RAS/BD, minor RAS/BD, and RAS patients all had significantly higher frequencies of serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA positivities than healthy control subjects (all P-values < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in different serum autoantibody frequencies between BD, major RAS/BD, or minor RAS/BD patients and RAS patients. Of 16 TGA/TMA-positive BD patients whose serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured, 87.5%, 6.3%, and 6.3% of these TGA/TMA-positive BD patients had normal, lower, and higher serum TSH levels, respectively. CONCLUSION: Approximately 35% BD patients have serum GPCA/TGA/TMA positivity. However, BD patients do not have significantly higher frequencies of serum GPCA, TGA, and TMA positivities than RAS patients.

Haematinic deficiencies and patient clinical profiles in Polish patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common ulcerative disorder of the oral mucosa, where the immune impairment may develop in genetically predisposed subjects exposed to certain environmental factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of anaemia, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and to explore its impact on the clinical presentation of RAS. METHODS: A total of 141 adults including the following: 71 subjects with RAS and 70 controls were enrolled in the study. A detailed dental and haematological assessment, including full blood count, serum iron and vitamin B12 evaluation, was performed in all study participants. The results were statistically analysed with Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, χ2 and Fisher tests with P < .05 designated as a significance level. RESULTS: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients were found to suffer anaemia, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency more frequently than the controls. The mean serum iron levels were also significantly lower in RAS subjects than in controls, although still within the norm. The lowest mean serum iron levels were observed in patients with a mild course of RAS. No significant differences in mean serum iron and vitamin B12 levels were revealed as a function of stratification according to the number of lesions per single flare-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate an association between iron and vitamin B12 deficiency and RAS in a Polish population. However, as the haematinic deficiencies did not significantly modify the course and clinical phenotype of the disease, further studies to explore their role in RAS aetiology are required.