Salivary TNF and Blood Monocytes in Recurrent Aphthous Ulceration: Insights from Clinical and Immunological Evaluation

Abstract

Rise levels of TNF have been detected in the tissues, saliva, and blood of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, suggesting its participation in the progress and persistence of these ulcerative lesions.  This study aims to examine the levels of tumor necrosis factor in the saliva of people who have recurrent aphthous stomatitis in order to learn more about its pathophysiology.  The study involved 80 individuals, including 40 patients identified with RAU and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals as controls. TNF levels were estimated by using commercially available micro-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits; monocytes were determined by using an automated hematological analyzer XT2000i (from Sysmex, Japan). The statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in TNF and monocyte count increased significantly in patients with aphthous ulcers when compared with healthy individuals (p-value < 0.000).  Also, TNF was significantly higher in major aphthous ulcers compared to herpetiform aphthous ulcers, but statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between minor aphthous ulcers and herpetiform aphthous ulcers.