Neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor in oral fluid of elderly patients: diagnostic value for chronic periodontitis and oral lichen planus

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the vascular endothelial growth factor A and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the oral fluid of mature and elderly patients with chronic periodontitis and oral lichen planus. Materials and methods. The study involved 56 participants. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers aged 18–44 (n=10). The comparison group included relatively healthy elderly people aged 60–74 (n=12). The distinguished groups of patients with age-associated dental diseases included: moderate chronic periodontitis mature patients of 45–59 years (n=10) and elderly patients (n=14), as well as elderly patients with oral lichen planus (n=10). The patients underwent dental examination. The content of neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor A in saliva (BDNF/ NGF beta/ VEGF-A Human ProcartaPlex Simplex Kit, Invitrogen, USA) was determined by the multiparametric fluorescence analysis with magnetic microspheres (xMAP, Luminex 200, USA) in compliance with the manufacturer protocol. Results. The groups reveal no differences in the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor beta. The elderly patients with oral lichen planus were found to obtain the highest angiogenesis factor, which diagnostic value was assessed by ROC-analysis. The test appears moderately accurate (AUC=0.875). Conclusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor A can be considered for laboratory monitoring of elderly patients with oral lichen planus.