The levels of plasma and salivary antioxidants in the patient with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Dietary Antioxidant Index and the Risk of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common condition that affects the oral mucosa. Antioxidants are crucial in neutralizing free radicals in the body and may have a preventive role against RAS. This study aims to examine the association between dietary antioxidant index (DAI) and RAS occurrence.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 144 individuals with RAS and 135 individuals without RAS. The dietary intake of the participants was assessed using the food frequency questionnaire. The DAI was applied to measure the antioxidant capacity of the diet. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the link between RAS and DAI after adjusting the confounding variables.

RESULTS

There was a significant negative association between RAS and DAI of zinc (OR = 0.639, CI95%: 0.456-0.896, P = .009) and total score of DAI (OR = 0.802, CI95%: 0.682-0.944, P = .008) after adjustment for age. The results remained significant after further adjustment for body mass index and calorie intake.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicated a possible negative association between the risk of RAS and the DAI score as a measure of the antioxidant potential of diet. Further studies are warranted.

SS-31 mitigates oxidative stress and restores mitochondrial function in cigarette smoke-damaged oral epithelial cells via PINK1-mediated mitophagy

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for several oral diseases, including oral cancer, oral leukoplakia and periodontitis, primarily related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). SS-31, a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide, has exhibited demonstrable efficacy in medical conditions by attenuating mitochondrial ROS production. However, its potential in the treatment of oral diseases remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of SS-31 in mitigating smoking-induced oral epithelial injury. Through in vitro experiments, our results indicate that SS-31 plays a protective role against cigarette smoke extract (CSE) by reducing oxidative stress, attenuating inflammatory response, and restoring mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we found that mitophagy, regulated by PINK1 (PTEN-induced putative kinase 1)/Parkin (Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase), was critical for the protective role of SS-31. Our findings offer valuable insights into SS-31's therapeutic potential in mitigating CSE-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial dysfunction in oral epithelial cells. This study provides novel intervention targets for smoking-related oral diseases.

Systemic and local effect of oxidative stress on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: systematic review

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease of the mouth. It is characterised by the appearance of painful ulcers in the oral mucosa. RAS is believed to be a multifactorial disease with genetic predisposition, environmental factors and alterations in the immune system. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between free radicals and the antioxidant system, also appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of RAS. Several risk factors, such as smoking, iron and vitamin deficiency and anxiety, may contribute to the development of the disease. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may help in the prevention and treatment of RAS. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for articles on oxidative stress in patients with RAS from 2000 to 2023. Studies analysing oxidant and antioxidant levels in the blood and saliva of RAS patients and healthy controls were selected. Of 170 potentially eligible articles, 24 met the inclusion criteria: 11 studies on blood samples, 6 on salivary samples and 7 on both blood and salivary samples. Multiple oxidative and antioxidant markers were assessed in blood and saliva samples. Overall, statistically significant differences were found between RAS patients and healthy controls for most markers. In addition, increased oxidative DNA damage was observed in patients with RAS. Patients with RAS show elevated levels of oxidative stress compared to healthy controls, with a significant increase in oxidative markers and a significant decrease in antioxidant defences in saliva and blood samples.

A Comparative Study of Antioxidative Activity of Saliva in Children and Young Teenagers with and without Gingivitis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the values of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the saliva of children and young teenagers with and without gingivitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children and young teenagers of the mean age of 12.2 participated in the research. Gingival condition was assessed using the Löe and Silness Gingival Index. The subjects were divided into groups of those without gingivitis and those with gingivitis. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected, and TAC, CAT and GPX were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: By comparing the values of TAC, CAT and GPX in subjects with and without gingivitis, significantly lower values of TAC (p < 0.001) and CAT (p < 0.001) were observed in the group of subjects with gingivitis. The correlation analysis of these values showed a positive correlation in groups of subjects not suffering from gingival inflammation and those with gingival inflammation. Conclusions: The study showed significantly lower values of TAC and CAT in the saliva of subjects with gingivitis. This indicates their possible role as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis and expression of periodontal disease in children and young teenagers.

Protective effects of gallic acid on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity; an experimantal study

The present study aims to examine the possible beneficial effects of gallic acid (GA) against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in the experimental model. Rats were weighed and divided into groups. Groups as following; control, gallic acid (GA), doxorubicin (DOX) and GA + DOX groups. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and heart tissue removed. The tissues were analysed in terms of biochemical (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx), pathological (hyaline degeneration, Zenkerin necrosis, hyperaemia) and immunohistochemical (TNF-α, Cox-2). MDA level decreased and antioxidant enzyme activities increased in GA + DOX group compared to doxorubicin group. TNF-α, Cox-2 expression levels were severe in the DOX group. Also, pathologic tissue damage in heart tissue increased due to doxorubicin. Additionally, pathologic tissue damage and TNF-α, Cox-2 expression levels decreased in GA + DOX group. According to our findings, GA has protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Oxidative status in plasma, urine and saliva of girls with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychosomatic disorder with unclear pathomechanisms. Metabolic dysregulation is associated with disruption of redox homeostasis that might play a pivotal role in the development of AN. The aim of our study was to assess oxidative status and carbonyl stress in plasma, urine and saliva of patients with AN and healthy controls.

METHODS

Plasma, spot urine, and saliva were collected from 111 girls with AN (aged from 10 to 18 years) and from 29 age-matched controls. Markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were measured using spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods.

RESULTS

Plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were significantly higher in patients with AN than in healthy controls (by 96, and 82%, respectively). Accordingly, urinary concentrations of AOPP and fructosamines and salivary concentrations of AGEs were higher in girls with AN compared with controls (by 250, and 41% in urine; by 92% in saliva, respectively). Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in saliva were 3-times higher in the patients with AN than in the controls. Overall antioxidants were lower in plasma of girls with AN compared to the controls, as shown by total antioxidant capacity and ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (by 43, and 31%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study assessing wide range of markers of oxidative status in plasma, urine and saliva of the patients with AN. We showed that both, higher levels of markers of oxidative stress and lower antioxidants play a role in redox disruption. Restoration of redox homeostasis might be of the clinical relevance.

Effects of Nigella sativa oil and thymoquinone on radiation-induced oxidative stress in kidney tissue of rats

Ionizing radiation leads to release of free radicals into the systemic circulation from irradiated tissues. These free radicals cause oxidative stress in distant organs. Oxidative status may be reversed by naturally occurring antioxidant agents. The aim of this study was to investigate protective and antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and thymoquinone (TQ) in kidney tissue of rats exposed to cranial irradiation. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: IR group received irradiation (IR) to total cranium plus saline; IR plus NSO group received IR and NSO; IR plus TQ group received IR and TQ; sham group did not receive NSO, TQ or IR; control group of TQ received dimethyl sulfoxide; control group of NSO received saline. Total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels were studied as oxidative parameters, and total antioxidant status (TAS), total sulfhydryl levels, paraoxonase (PON), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and arylesterase activities were determined as antioxidative parameters in the kidney tissue of rats. Kidney TOS, OSI and LOOH levels were significantly lower in IR plus TQ, IR plus NSO and sham groups compared to IR group (p < 0.001). TAS, PON and Cp activities in IR group were significantly lower compared to the control group (p < 0.001). PON and Cp activities were significantly higher in IR plus NSO and IR plus TQ groups compared to IR group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, free radicals generated by cranial ionizing radiation exposure cause oxidative stress in kidney. NSO and TQ exhibit protective and antioxidant effects against oxidative damage in rats.

An exploratory analysis on the toxicity & safety profile of Polyherbal combination of curcumin, quercetin and rutin

Background

Curcumin, quercetin and rutin are flavonoids having strong antioxidant potential, individually used in treatment of numerous ailments. The safety assessment of each of them is already established but no toxicological assessment has been done that would guarantee the safe use of these three flavonoids when used as a polyherbal combination (PHC). The aim of this study to evaluate the possible toxicological effect of polyherbal combination of these three flavonoids in female Swiss albino mice.

Methods

In acute toxicity study, the oral dose of poly herbal combination was administered to four groups stepwise in single dose and general behaviour, adverse effects and mortality were determined up to 14 days and compared to normal group. In sub-acute study, the tested poly herbal combination was administered orally for 28 days to the four experimental groups and their body weight was measured each alternate day from the first day of dosing. On 29th day the final body weight was recorded and euthanized by using thiopentone sodium, blood was collected and later haematological, lipid profile, biochemical parameter was evaluated and compared to normal group.

Result

In acute toxicity study, no abnormal general behaviour, adverse effects were reported. No significant changes were reported in body weight, haematological, lipid profile, biochemical parameter in sub-acute toxicity study. No mortality was reported in both the study. Histopathological examination revealed no alterations in clinical signs or organ weight at any dose.

Conclusion

The result concludes that the oral administration of Polyherbal combination did not produce any significant toxic effect in swiss albino mice. Hence, the Polyherbal combination can be utilized safely for therapeutic use.

The evaluation of thiol/disulphide homeostasis in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The objective of our study was to determine thiol/disulphide homeostasis in recurrent aphtous stomatitis (RAS) patients. A prospective monocentric study was designed. Forty-three recurrent aphtous stomatitis patients and 43 healthy subjects were included to study. Venous blood samples collected and assessed with novel automatic system. Results compared statistically. Disulphide levels were found significantly higher in RAS patients than control group. There was no significant difference between native thiol and total thiol levels. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in RAS patients in favor of disulphide levels compared with control group. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first examination on the correlation between thiol and disulfide homeostasis in patients with RAS.

The effects of pomegranate peel extract on recurrent aphthous stomatitis

As high as 20% of the population is thought to have recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), hence, finding new therapeutic agents may be needed. Pomegranate (Punica granatum), has been extensively used in the folk medicine of many cultures, as it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. In this study, it is hypothesized that a topical form of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) may shorten the duration, accelerate the healing and reduce the pain of RAS patients. The presented randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 56 patients. Herein, 28 patients were advised to apply PPE gel, and the other 28 patients were given placebo gel, twice daily for one week. Efficacy evaluations were made at days 0 (before using the gel), 3, 5 and 7. The mean values of ulcer size, pain and healing duration of ulcers were compared in both groups. PPE gel was significantly effective in reducing the pain (p<0.001), ulcer size (p<0.001), and healing duration of ulcers (p<0.001) over a period of one week. PPE in the form of oral gel can be used in the management of aphthous ulcers.

Evaluation of Salivary Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress Markers in Male Smokers

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoke free radicals can cause cellular damage and different diseases. All the body fluids have antioxidants which protect against free radicals.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary total antioxidant capacity and peroxidase, uric acid and malondialdehyde levels in smokers and a nonsmoking control group.

METHODS

Unstimulated saliva was collected from 510 males. A total of 259 subjects were current smokers and 251 were non-smokers. The levels of salivary total antioxidant capacity, uric acid, peroxidase and malondialdehyde were measured using standard procedures. Data were analyzed with t test and ANOVA.

RESULTS

The smokers were younger and dental hygiene index was higher than healthy nonsmoking controls. The mean total antioxidant capacity in smokers and nonsmokers was 0.13±0.07 and 0.21±011, respectively (P=0.001). Smokers had significantly lower peroxidase and uric acid levels than healthy controls. In addition, the mean malondialdehyde levels in the smokers and nonsmokers were 4.55 ±2.61 and 2.79 ±2.21, respectively (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cigarette smoke produces free radical and oxidative stress, causing many side effects. Salivary antioxidant levels decreased and malondialdehyde levels increased in smokers, indicating the high oxidative stress among smokers compared to nonsmokers. Cigarette smoke had deleterious effects on main salivary antioxidants levels.

Protein-Based Salivary Profiles as Novel Biomarkers for Oral Diseases

The Global Burden of Oral Diseases affects 3.5 billion people worldwide, representing the number of people affected by the burden of untreated dental caries, severe periodontal disease, and edentulism. Thus, much more efforts in terms of diagnostics and treatments must be provided in the fight of these outcomes. In this sense, recently, the study of saliva as biological matrix has been identified as a new landmark initiative in the search of novel and useful biomarkers to prevent and diagnose these conditions. Specifically, saliva is a rich reservoir of different proteins and peptides and accessible due to recent advances in molecular biology and specially in targeted and unbiased proteomics technologies. Nonetheless, emerging barriers are an obstacle to the study of the salivary proteome in an effective way. This review aims at giving an overall perspective of salivary biomarkers identified in several oral diseases by means of molecular biology approaches.

Evaluation and Comparison of Total Antioxidant Capacity of Saliva Between Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Healthy Subjects

Background & Objectives:

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common chronic ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa and its development may be associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in patients with minor RAS.

Materials & Methods:

In this case-control study, 27 patients with minor RAS and 28 age- and sex-matched controls without RAS were enrolled. TAC was measured in unstimulated saliva for patients (during active lesion phase and after healing) and controls by immunologic assay. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 using paired and unpaired t-tests (P<0.05).

Results:

Salivary TAC levels of patients presented a significant increase from active lesion phase (0.26±0.16) to healing time (0.43±0.41); (P=0.034). There was no significant difference in the level of salivary TAC between patients during active lesion phase and controls (0.24±0.13); (P=0.641).

Conclusion:

Increasing level of salivary TAC may be involved in remission of RAS lesions, suggesting its evaluation in future studies.

A comparison of native and non-urate Total Antioxidant Capacity of fasting plasma and saliva among middle-aged and older subjects

OBJECTIVES

As plasma and salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is mainly contributed by uric acid (UA), the present study measures non-urate TAC (Nu-TAC). The aim of the study was to correlate plasma native TAC, Nu-TAC and UA with their salivary analogues, and compare the UA contribution in both body fluids using two different methods.

METHODS

The study involved 55 middle-aged and older subjects (66.7 ± 4.5 years). TAC was determined simultaneously with two methods (ferric reducing ability of plasma - FRAP, 2.2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl - DPPH and countertypes for saliva - FRAS and DPPHS test), with and without UA (native TAC and Nu-TAC, respectively). Plasma UA and salivary UA (SUA) were assessed.

RESULTS

Subjects with increased FRAP, DPPH and UA had higher FRAS, DPPHS and SUA, respectively (P < 0.05). Plasma Nu-TAC indices did not correlate with salivary Nu-TAC. The contribution of UA to the plasma and salivary DPPH tests was similar: 75.7 ± 10.3% and 75.2 ± 14.0%, respectively. However, the contribution of UA to FRAS was higher than that for FRAP (71.6 ± 13.9% vs. 64.0 ± 8.1%; P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that saliva is a good predictor for native plasma TAC but not for Nu-TAC. UA level is comparably dominant in saliva and in plasma according to DPPH, but lower in plasma according to FRAP.

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: An Assessment of Antioxidant Levels in Plasma and Saliva

Introduction

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral mucosal disorder that affects 20% of the population worldwide. Factors such as trauma, stress, genetic, hypersensitivity, nutrition, immune disturbance and hormonal imbalance may disturb the oxidant and antioxidant balance of an organism and precipitate RAS, but the relationships are poorly understood.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant status in plasma and saliva of patients with RAS.

Materials and Methods

Forty patients with RAS and forty healthy individuals were included in the study. The levels of antioxidants such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSHPx) Catalase (CAT) and Uric Acid (UA) were measured in plasma and saliva. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the two groups using independent t-test and ANOVA.

Results

Decreased SOD levels were observed in plasma amongst RAS patients (p < 0.03) whereas, increased levels were observed in their saliva (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was noticed in GSHPx levels: RAS patients exhibited higher levels in plasma but decreased in saliva compared to the control group. CAT activities and UA levels in saliva (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001 respectively) were observed to be significantly higher in RAS patients. Within the RAS group elevated plasma SOD level (p < 0.006) was found in patients with major ulcers whereas, an increased plasma UA (p < 0.01) level was observed in patients with minor ulcers.

Conclusion

The non-equilibrium antioxidant levels observed in both plasma and saliva indicate the antioxidant status of the body is disturbed in patients with RAS.

Salivary changes in oral mucosal diseases

Saliva is a unique biological fluid that can be easily collected and analyzed with low cost and low morbidity. Therefore, there is a growing attention for using salivary biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progress and response to treatment. Salivary changes have been described in relation to oral mucosal diseases. This article discusses the causes and consequences of salivary hypofunction and presents a review of the literature related to changes in salivary parameters in various oral mucosal diseases and in systemic diseases with possible oral mucosal involvement.

Assessment of Oxidant-Antioxidant Status and Stress Factor in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients: Case Control Study

INTRODUCTION

Despite its vast occurrence, the aetiology of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) still remains unknown and its aetiology is multifactorial. The factors believed to be associated with the aetiology of RAS, may disturb the equilibrium of oxidant-antioxidant status of the organism and may accelerate the formation of free radicals, resulting in Oxidative Stress (OS). Psychological stress is believed to act as a triggering factor or modifying factor for RAS.

AIM

To find whether oxidant-antioxidant status and psychosocial stress play a role in the pathogenesis of RAS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 60 subjects over a period of one year (August 2014-August 2015) equally divided into two groups-patients with RAS and healthy controls. Psychosocial stress was analyzed by using Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ). Saliva was analyzed to evaluate Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSHPx) activities, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Uric Acid (UA) levels in both the study and the control groups, using UV spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

The mean value of salivary SOD and MDA was increased while the activity of GSHPx and UA decreased in the study group when compared to the controls; the difference being statistically significant (p<0.005). The mean RLCQ stress score was also found to be increased in the RAS group, which showed elevated levels of mental stresses when compared to physical stresses. No significant association was observed between SOD, MDA, GSHPx and UA with high levels of stress score (p>0.05). In the study group, no correlation was observed between the study variables and gender, the number of ulcer episodes in one year, the number of ulcers per episode or the duration of ulcers.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that salivary antioxidant levels show a significant difference in response to OS in RAS patients. An increase in levels of psychosocial stress is seen associated with patients with RAS indicating its role as a modifying or triggering factor in the initiation of RAS.

Salivary Markers for Periodontal and General Diseases

The determination of biomarkers in saliva is becoming an important part of laboratory diagnostics and the prediction of not only periodontal, but also other tissue and organ diseases. Biomarkers in saliva (e.g., enzymes, protein markers, or oxidative stress markers) can be used for activity determination and for periodontal disease prognosis. Saliva also contains many markers which can predict the risk of certain diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, oncology, endocrinology, and psychiatric diseases). The study of salivary components proteomics clearly shows the relationship of periodontal diseases and diseases of distant systems, organs, or tissues.

Total antioxidant status and oxidative stress in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is an idiopathic, chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa. It is thought that oxidative stress caused by systemic inflammation plays a basic role in the etiopathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The aim of this study is to review oxidative status and DNA damage in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

METHOD

The study included 42 patients with an active recurrent aphthous stomatitis lesion and 39 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics. DNA damage was analyzed using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Plasma levels of total antioxidant status and total oxidative status were determined by using an automated measurement method. Oxidative stress index was calculated as total oxidative status/total antioxidant status and × 100.

RESULTS

The total oxidative status and oxidative stress index values were significantly higher in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group compared to the control group, while total antioxidant status values were significantly lower. In the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group, DNA damage was observed to be significantly higher than the control group. In correlation analysis, significant correlation was found between DNA damage and the oxidative stress index and total oxidative status values in the recurrent aphthous stomatitis group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report in the literature that demonstrates association of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with increased oxidative status.

Assessment of serum enzymatic antioxidant levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a case control study

Background and Aim. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae. Despite extensive research, the exact etiology of RAS remains elusive. Recently oxidant-antioxidant imbalance of the body has been implicated in the pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the enzymatic antioxidant levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Materials and Methods. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) were measured in 30 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and compared to the control group, which included 30 healthy subjects. Student's t-test was performed for statistical evaluation. Results. The mean levels of superoxide dismutase (130.2 ± 15.94 U/mL) and glutathione peroxidase (3527.93 ± 488.32 U/L) were found to be significantly lower in study group as compared to control group (211.9 ± 20.93 U/mL, 8860.93 ± 1105.31 U/L, resp.) (P = 0.000) while level of catalase in study group was significantly higher when compared to control group (10981.00 ± 1018.07 U/mL versus 9764.00 ± 1621.19 U/mL) (P = 0.000). Conclusion. Enzymatic antioxidant system is impaired in recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients and seems to play a crucial role in its pathogenesis.

Oxidative stress and cellular immunity in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers

Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is an inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa characterized by painful, well-circumscribed, single or multiple round or ovoid ulcerations. The exact etiologic factor(s) of these ulcerations are not yet understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate inflammatory processes and free radical metabolism of 25 patients with RAUs compared to 25 healthy controls. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-10, and IL-12 were determined by ELISA. Nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were measured spectroscopically in serum. The levels of MDA, GSH, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-12, MPO, and TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher, and the levels of NO, IL-10, and TAS were lower in patients with RAU than in controls. Statistical analysis showed that GSH, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10, and OSI differed significantly in patients with RAU compared to controls. These parameters have important roles in oxidant/antioxidant defense.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common ulcerative disease affecting the oral mucosa. RAS occurs mostly in healthy individuals and has an atypical clinical presentation in immunocompromised individuals. The etiology of RAS is still unknown, but several local, systemic, immunologic, genetic, allergic, nutritional, and microbial factors, as well as immunosuppressive drugs, have been proposed as causative agents. Clinical management of RAS using topical and systemic therapies is based on severity of symptoms and the frequency, size, and number of lesions. The goals of therapy are to decrease pain and ulcer size, promote healing, and decrease the frequency of recurrence.

Copper/zinc and copper/selenium ratios, and oxidative stress as biochemical markers in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

PROJECT

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae, and oxidative stress presumably contributes to its pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the relationship between oxidative stress and serum trace elements (copper, Cu; zinc, Zn; selenium, Se), and to evaluate the ratios of Cu/Zn and Cu/Se in this disorder.

PROCEDURE

Patients with RAS (n = 33) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 30) were enrolled in this study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in plasma and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD1; CuZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocyte were determined as spectrophotometric. Also, the levels of Se, Zn and Cu in serum were determined on flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer using Zeeman background correction.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress was confirmed by the significant elevation in plasma MDA, and by the significant decrease in CAT, SOD1, and GPx (p < 0.05). When compared to controls, Zn and Se levels were significantly lower in patients, whereas Cu levels was higher in RAS patients than those in controls (p < 0.05). In addition, the correlation results of this study were firstly shown that there were significant and positive correlations between Se-CAT, Se-GPx, and Cu-MDA parameters, but negative correlations between Se-Cu, Se-MDA, Cu-CAT, Cu-SOD1 and Cu-GPx parameters in RAS patients. Furthermore, the ratios of Cu/Zn and Cu/Se were significantly higher in the patients than the control subjects (p < 0.05). Our results indicated that lipid peroxidation associated with the imbalance of the trace elements seems to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RAS. Furthermore, the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se ratios may be used as biochemical markers in these patients.

Total serum oxidant/antioxidant status and arylesterase activity in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa with unknown etiology. Oxidative stress (OS) is suggested to play a main role in the etiopathogenesis in RAS.

Objective

In this study, we hypothesize that a systemic OS is present in patients with RAS.

Methods

Forty-four patients with active RAS lesions and 38 healthy controls were being included in the study. Serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and paraoxonase 1 arylesterase (ARES) activity were being determined.

Results

RAS patients had significantly lower TAS levels and higher TOS and OSI values than controls. The patients had a lower ARES activity when compared to healthy controls. No correlations were observed between OS parameters and age, gender, duration of disease or frequency of RAS attacks per month.

Conclusion

A systemic OS is determined with an imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant status and lower ARES activity in RAS. Systemic OS may have an important role in the pathogenesis of RAS formation.

Assessment of the serum paraoxonase activity and oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have indicated that recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase (PON) activity and oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with RAS.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients with RAS and 31 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum PON1 and arylesterase activities, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index were determined.

RESULTS

Serum total antioxidant capacity levels, PON1, and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in RAS than controls (P < 0.001), while total oxidant status levels and oxidative stress index were significantly higher (P < 0.001). PON1 activity had a significant correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol only (r = 0.482, P < 0.05), while there were no correlations with other lipids (P > 0.05) in patients with RAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that RAS is associated with decreased PON1 activity and increased oxidative stress that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RAS. Further studies on a larger number of patients are needed to verify these results.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

OBJECTIVE

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae, and oxidative stress presumably contributes to its pathogenesis. The study was performed to evaluate the involvement of oxidant toxicity in this disorder.

METHODS

Patients with RAS (n = 26) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 20) were included in this study. Following an overnight fast, blood specimens were obtained. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations and erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase activities were determined. Also, plasma vitamin E and selenium levels were detected. Mann-Whitney U-test was performed for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress was confirmed by the significant elevation in plasma malondialdehyde levels and by the significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activities, vitamin E and selenium levels (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that lipid peroxidation and the inadequacy of the defense system seem to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

The interrelation of glutathione reductase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose-6-phosphate in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints, ultimately leading to joint destruction and permanent disability, affecting 1% of the world population. Oxidative stress in rheumatoid inflammation, due to the fact that antioxidant systems are impaired in RA and caused by fee radicals, might have an essential role in etiology of RA. This review includes the interrelation of antioxidants against free radicals in RA patients. There is much evidence that antioxidant team that covers glutathione reductase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose-6-phopshate destroy reactive oxygen species and other free radicals through enzymatic as well as nonenzymatic means. The change in relative levels of antioxidants vis-à-vis free radical formation and level could be used as indicators for effective and earlier diagnosis of RA.

The association between total antioxidant status and oxidative stress in Behçet’s disease

There has recently been growing evidence supporting the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). In this study, we aim to evaluate total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) in BD patients, and compare their results both with controls that had recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and healthy controls. TAS statistically decreased in RAS patients, and TOS levels increased in BD and RAS patients than those in healthy controls. The serum levels of Cu significantly increased only in BD patients when compared with healthy controls. Fe levels were not statistically different among the BD patients, RAS patients and healthy controls, but there was a positive correlation between TOS and plasma Fe levels in BD patients. Our results suggest that there is an insufficient antioxidant system and increased oxidative status both in BD and RAS patients. The antioxidant supplementations in addition to medical treatments will improve the quality of life.

Oxidative status in rheumatoid arthritis

The insufficiency of antioxidant defense systems and the acceleration of the oxidative reactions can be results of the pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in oxidant status by measuring two different parameters; one was the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation and the other was total oxidative status; we could then compare our results with the antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enyzme activities. All were assessed in 22 patients with active RA and 18 age- and gender-matched control subjects. While serum MDA levels were significantly increased in patients with RA compared to the control group (p<0.03), the total oxidative status levels were decreased in patients with RA compared to the control group (p<0.008), and serum SOD activities did not show any statistical difference between the two groups. In conclusion, the increased MDA levels in our study may be important as a marker but are not sufficient to conclude that there was an increase in oxidative stress in RA patients because supporting results were not obtained from SOD and oxidative status measurements. These results give further support to the concept of oxygen free radicals playing a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders, but we also consider that there is a more complex relationship than has been assumed. We think that further studies are needed to clarify these conflicting results.

Comparison of antioxidant enzymes in saliva of elderly smokers and non-smokers

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to compare the levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), peroxidase (POx) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in saliva of smokers and those in saliva of non-smokers.

METHODS

Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 88 elderly males (65 years old or over) who visited a private dental clinic. Forty-four subjects were current smokers (more than 20 cigarettes daily for at least 30 years) and 44 were non-smokers. The levels of salivary thiocyanate, Cu/Zn SOD, GSH-Px, and POx activity were measured using standard procedures.

RESULTS

The mean levels of salivary thiocyanate (SCN(-)) and SOD were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the smoking group than in the non-smoking group, whereas the specific activity levels of POx and GSH-Px were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the non-smoking group than in the smoking group. Significant correlation coefficients were found between the levels of SCN(-) and SOD (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). In the non-smoking group, a significant positive association was found between specific activity of POx and age (r = 0.33, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Measurement of SCN(-) and Cu/Zn SOD in human saliva might be useful for estimating the level of oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoke. Despite increased H2O2 level as a defense system induced by SOD, detoxification of H2O2 might be deteriorated in the oral cavity of elderly smokers.

Orally administrated rare earth element cerium induces metallothionein synthesis and increases glutathione in the mouse liver

The influence of oral administration of rare earth element cerium (Ce) was studied in relation to metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) content in the organs of ICR mice, which were administered heavy metal cadmium (Cd) for comparison. Male ICR mice were divided into 9 groups: 1 control group, 4 cerium groups and 4 cadmium groups, each with 4 mice, for a total of 36 mice. Ce groups included a 20 ppm CeCl3 diet (Ce-low) group and a 200 ppm CeCl3 diet (Ce-high) group, as did Cd groups, i.e., a 20 ppm CdCl2 diet (Cd-low) group and a 200 ppm CdCl2 diet (Cd-high) group. Each group was subdivided in 2 groups except a control group: 6-week administration group and 12-week administration group. The level of plasma aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity, plasma alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activity, plasma cholesterol and plasma triglyceride in the Ce-low, Cd-low, Ce-high, and Cd-high group were higher than that of control group, although there were no significant differences (p > 0.05). By contrast, both Ce and Cd groups had higher levels of MT and GSH in hepatic cells compared to the control group (p < 0.05) and decreased liver tissue level of lipoperoxide (p < 0.05). These groups also had decreased plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.05), and increased plasma level of lipoperoxide (p > 0.05). In conclusion, it is suggested that orally administered Ce increases MT and GSH as an antioxidant in the mouse liver, and these reaction are probably caused by increases in the oxidative stress with Ce.