Evaluation of the salivary levels of TNFa and IL-6 in patients with oral lichen planus treated with photobiomodulation

• Grant number: 18/18444-6
• 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 Investigator: Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues
• Grantee: Karen Roberta Lopes Cunha
• Home Institution: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Campus Vergueiro. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an idiopathic chronic mucocutaneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including white reticular patches, erosive/ulcerative and atrophic lesions, both associated with intense symptomatology. There is no cure for OLP and topical or systemic corticosteroids are commonly used as standard therapy, although adverse effects associated with this type of therapy is observed. However, some patients develop resistance to corticosteroid therapy. Some studies have demonstrated that Photobiomodulation (PBM) can be used as a therapeutic tool to treat OLP with beneficial effects, reducing pain, recurrence and improving the clinical aspects. However, no study investigating the effects of PBM in the modulation of inflammatory cytokines was observed in the literature. Thus, the aim of this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the salivary levels of TNF± and IL-6 in OLP patients treated with PBM in relation to corticotherapy. Patients diagnosed with OLP will be randomized in two experimental groups. In control group, participants will be treated daily with 0.05% propionate clobetasol three times/day during 30 days and PBM placebo twice a week. To prevent oral candidiasis, patients will use micostatin solution. In experimental group, participants will be treated daily with placebo gel three times/day for 30 consecutive days to mask the treatment and PBM (680±20nm), 100mW, energy density 177J/cm2, 5 per point, twice a week during 4 consecutive wee weekly during treatment. Clinical aspect and pain will be evaluated weekly during treatment. Saliva will be collected at the beginning of treatment (D0) and at the end of treatment (D30). Salivary levels of TNF± and IL-6 will be evaluated using the ELISA assay and further correlated with the treatment and the clinical aspect of the OLP.