Salivary Melatonin Change in Oral Lichen Planus Patients: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Melatonin, a chronobiotic hormone, has diverse biological functions.
• Limited research exists on melatonin in oral mucosal tissues and chronic inflammatory oral diseases.
• Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting oral mucosa with varied symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and assess salivary melatonin levels in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).
• To compare salivary melatonin levels in different stages of OLP and periodontitis against healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Sixty patients were categorized into four groups: healthy controls, periodontitis, keratotic OLP (K-OLP), and non-keratotic OLP (NK-OLP).
• Pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were measured.
• Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analyzed for melatonin using ELISA.

Main Results:

• Salivary flow rate and melatonin levels decreased progressively from healthy controls to periodontitis, K-OLP, and NK-OLP.
• A significant difference in salivary melatonin was observed between controls and NK-OLP (p<0.05).
• Periodontitis patients exhibited greater pocket depth and attachment loss compared to other groups.

Conclusions:

• Reduced salivary flow and melatonin in OLP patients suggest an interruption of melatonin's cytoprotective role against oxidative stress.
• This alteration may contribute to the oral mucosal changes and symptoms experienced by OLP patients.
• Salivary melatonin levels serve as a potential biomarker in chronic inflammatory oral conditions.