Search

Objective: The present study evaluated the oral tissue expression of micro‐RNA (miRNAs) linked to the potential malignant evolution of oral lichen planus (OLP). Furthermore, the correlation between OLP severity and miRNAs expression was assessed, and possible predictors of miRNAs in OLP patients were identified. Methods: The present study enrolled 41 patients with OLP (median age 58 years) and 42 healthy controls (median age 59 years). In each patient, miRNA levels (miR‐7a‐3p,‐7a2‐3p,‐7a‐5p,‐21‐3p,‐21‐5p,‐100‐3p,‐100‐5p,‐125b‐2‐3p,‐125b‐5p,‐200b‐3p,‐200b‐5p) were assessed and analyzed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical parameters and the eventual presence of OLP symptoms, signs, and disease severity scores in each patient were reported using an anamnestic questionnaire. Results: In comparison with healthy controls, OLP patients showed significantly higher miR‐7a‐3p,‐7a‐2‐3p,‐21‐3p, miR‐21‐5p and miR‐100‐5p levels (p < 0.05) and significantly lower miR‐125b‐2‐3p,‐125b‐5p,‐200b‐3p, and ‐200b‐5p levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, OLP symptoms and signs and disease severity scores were significantly correlated and were also predictors of all analyzed miRNAs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In comparison with healthy subjects, OLP patients exhibited unbalanced oral miRNAs expression linked to the risk of potential malignant evolution of OLP. Furthermore, some miRNAs were correlated with OLP extent and were significant predictors of OLP symptoms, signs, and disease severity scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two different therapies on oral lichen planus (OLP) treatment through the analysis of OLP symptoms and signs and to analyze the risk of side effects related to the adopted protocols. Methods: Thirty‐eight patients with OLP were selected according to van der Meij and van der Waal clinical and histopathological criteria. Through a randomized design, 19 patients received Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment (T group) and 19 an anti‐inflammatory mouthwash (M group) composed of calcium hydroxide 10%, hyaluronic acid 0.3%, umbelliferone, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. The patients were examined on a regular basis for OLP symptoms, signs, and disease severity score changes over a 3‐month follow‐up period. Results: Both treatments were effective in the reduction of OLP signs and symptoms. However, at 3 months (T3), in comparison with the M group, T group patients showed significantly lower mean values of OLP signs (p = 0.035), symptoms (p = 0.045), and disease severity scores (p = 0.041). Moreover, the Spearman test showed that there was a significant correlation between OLP signs and symptoms at each follow‐up session in all patients. Conclusions: Both treatments demonstrated a significant approach to control OLP. However, tacrolimus determined a more effective improvement in OLP signs and symptoms compared to anti‐inflammatory mouthwash at 3‐month follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]