Impact of therapy with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on clinical, histopathological and immunophenotypic features of oral lichen planus

• Grant number: 18/17905-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal researcher: Ana Carolina Fragoso Motta
• Grantee: Ellen Emanuela Cintra Monteiro
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease, inflammatory nature, which often results in oral manifestations, receiving the name of oral lichen planus (OLP). The LPO has its frequency varied from 0,1 to 4% of the population, with a higher incidence in women, around the 4th and 5th decades of life. Although the pathogenesis of OLP is related to a imunecelular response, mainly mediated by T lymphocytes, its cause remains unknown. Considering its chronic nature, control of LPO aims to reduce symptoms and improve function, and agents with anti-inflammatory action, especially the topical corticosteroids result in some degree of success in most patients, depending on the clinical presentation. However, some cases are resistant to the use of corticosteroids, thus justifying the search for new therapeutic options. The immunomodulation proved to be one of the main functions of probiotic bacteria, and recent studies have shown effect of probiotics on the expression of inflammatory markers, which enables the study of this therapy as an alternative to the control of OLP. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the effects of therapy with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 in patients with OLP referred for diagnosis and treatment of School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo (SDRP/USP), and compare them to the therapeutic effects of high-potency topical corticosteroids. We intend to describe the clinical, histopathological and immunopathological features before and after 30 days of use of probiotic or corticosteroids. This project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the SDRP/USP (CAAE: 63003716.2.0000.5419), and all patients must give informed consent to participate in this study.