Salivary humoral changes in oral bullous lichen planus

Background: To investigate the salivary humoral mechanisms in patients with bullous lichen planus, in the phases of exacerbation and remission. Material and Method: Nineteen patients with bullous oral lichen planus were followed. Saliva was collected in the morning without stimulation in the amount from 5-10 cm2. The determination of immunoglobulins, C3 and C4 in the saliva was performed using the micro-ELISA technique. The circulating immune complexes in the serum and saliva were determined by the PEG method. The results were compared with a control group and within the group in the phases of exacerbation and remission. The results were statistically processed by Student's t - test . Results: Salivary IgA showed a significant decrease, whereas IgG and IgM significantly increased. The values of immunoglobulin A, G and M in the phase of remission were significantly increased compared with the control group. By comparing salivary immunoglobulins in the phases of exacerbation and remission, identical amounts of IgG in both stages of the disease were observed. However, considerably elevated values of IgA and slightly significant increase in the values of IgM were noted. CIC values in the control group and in patients ' group in the phases of exacerbation and remission were increased. Data suggest a highly significant depression of C3 component in the exacerbation phase, while in remission a slightly significant decrease was evident. Complement component C4 in the remission phase compared with a control group was declined. Conclusion: There is an evident involvement of certain saliva components in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus, but the final predominance of humoral mechanisms in the pathogenesis of bullous lichen planus does not exist yet.