Thiol-disulfide parameters in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) affects approximately 20% of the population.
• Oxidative stress (OS) is a proposed factor in RAS pathogenesis.
• Thiols are crucial antioxidants investigated for their role in OS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of oxidative stress in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).
• To analyze thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters in RAS patients.
• To determine the relationship between OS and RAS pathophysiology.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 31 RAS patients and 36 healthy controls.
• Serum levels of native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide were measured.
• Thiol/disulfide ratios were calculated and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters were observed between RAS patients and controls.
• A significant negative correlation was found between age and total thiol levels (P < .001, r = -.572).

Conclusions:

• Current findings do not support a significant role for altered thiol/disulfide balance in RAS.
• The pathogenesis of RAS may involve more complex mechanisms than previously thought.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of oxidative and antioxidant factors in RAS.