Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease that cell-mediated immunological mechanisms are involved in pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 isoforms including CD44s, CD44v5, and CD44v6 in biopsy specimens and saliva from OLP patients. Thirty-one OLP patients and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of CD44 isoforms in oral epithelia, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure levels of salivary CD44 isoforms. Our results demonstrated that expression of CD44v6 in oral epithelia from OLP patients was significantly decreased in comparison to controls (p = 0.021). Levels of salivary CD44s and CD44v5 from OLP patients were significantly higher than those from controls (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). In summary, our findings provided additional evidence that the pathological stress, such as chronic inflammation, altered the expression of CD44 isoforms in oral epithelia and saliva of OLP patients.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that usually causes oral mucosal damage. OLP has been considered to be a potentially malignant disorder associated with an increased risk for oral cancer. Trefoil factors (TFFs) are mainly synthesized by mucin-producing epithelial cells. Expression of TFFs in oral epithelia is thought to be an essential factor in protection against oral mucosal damage. However, very little is known about the connection between tissue damage of oral mucosa in OLP patients and expression of TFFs. Objectives: To determine levels of TFF expression in oral mucosa from patients with OLP. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from 35 patients with normal oral mucosa (controls) and 35 patients with OLP. An immunohistochemical method was used to determine the expression of the 3 TFFs (TFF1, 2, and 3) in mucosal tissues of the oral cavity. Results: TFF2 and TFF3 expression in oral epithelia were significantly decreased in OLP patients (MannWhitney U test; P = 0.006, and P = 0.002, respectively). There were no significant differences in TFF1 expression between OLP patients and control subjects. Conclusion:The present study demonstrated reduced expression of TFF2 and TFF3 in oral epithelia of OLP patients. These outcomes support our previous observations that chronic inflammation may play a major role in downregulation of TFF expression, which may be associated with oral mucosal damage in OLP patients.

Background Topical agents are the mainstay in the treatment of xerostomia, a common complaint most frequently associated with salivary dysfunction. This study aimed to compared the efficacy and safety for xerostomia treatment of 2 artificial saliva preparations containing 0.1% pilocarpine, and, either sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), or, sodium polyacrylate (SPA). Material and Methods Thirty-one xerostomia patients were randomly allocated into either a SCMC-treated group (15 patients), or, a SPA-treated group (16 patients). The formulations were taken 0.5 ml, 4 times daily for 6 weeks and double-blinded assessed before and after treatments using Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODs). Unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rates were measured. Results After treatment, the SCMC-treated group had significantly lower CODs and higher unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rates ( p <0.001, p =0.035, and p =0.013, respectively), while the SPA-treated group showed significantly lower CODs only ( p =0.004). In contrast, SCMC-treated and SPA-treated groups at the 6th week after treatments showed non-significant differences in all assessments ( p >0.05, all). Some adverse events (AEs) were reported, e.g., burning tongue, dizziness and watery eyes, but no severe AEs. Conclusions This randomized controlled pilot trial demonstrated superior efficacy of SCMC-formula over a SPA-formula after 6 weeks of xerostomia treatment. These formulations with topical pilocarpine proved safe in clinical use with minimal reported AE. Key words: Xerostomia, artificial saliva, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium polyacrylate, pilocarpine.

Background. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease and varies in its clinical profile and epidemiology in different regions of the world.Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of oral PV patients in the lower north and northeast of Thailand. Material and methods. A retrospective study of PV patients who visited the Oral Medicine Clinic, Dental Hospital, Naresuan University and Khon Kaen University during the 2010-2020 period. Results. 21 oral PV patients were included. Among these, 16 (76.2%) were female, and 5 (23.8%) were male, with a female to male ratio of 3.2:1. The mean age of the patients was 47.7 ± 14.2 (range 25 to 74) years. 8 patients (38.1%) had a history of systemic diseases, and hypertension was predominant. The mean duration of the disease was 6 ± 3.42 (range 1 to 12) months. The most common complaint at presentation was oral ulceration with a burning sensation. The most affected sites were the buccal mucosa and gingiva (80.9%). Extraoral involvement was found in 14 patients (66.7%). Patients who had oral lesions before skin lesions found the mean duration was 4.63 ± 5.13 (range 1 to 16) months. Most of the patients (61.9%) were prescribed a combination of topical and systemic steroids. Conclusions. The present study illustrates the demographics and clinical characteristics of oral PV in Thai patients. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical for the patients. Since oral mucosa is often the first site of PV involvement, healthcare professionals must recognize the disease's clinical characteristics and manage PV patients appropriately.