[Clinical study of superoxide dismutase in recurrent aphthous ulceration]

Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined in erythrocytes obtained from 74 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU) and 100 healthy individuals. The results showed that activity level of SOD in RAU was significantly lower as compared with that in the controls (P less than 0.01). The activity of SOD in 30 cases of RAU at interval period was elevated on reexamination, but it was still lower than that in the controls (P less than 0.01). There is evidence that damage of superoxide radicals (O.2) and decrease of activity of SOD may play important roles in the pathogenesis of RAU. A random double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial on membrane SOD was carried out in 40 patients with RAU. The results demonstrated that the effective rate of SOD was 90%, being markedly higher than that of placebo. It is suggested that membrane SOD, as a topical medicine, could increase the concentration of SOD on the ulcerous surfaces, prevent O.2-induced injury, decrease capillary permeability, relieve inflammation and improve cure of ulcer.