endothelin-1 and Lichen-Planus--Oral

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor involved not only in vascular biology but also in carcinogenesis. Results of a study in 2007 suggested salivary ET-1 as a potential biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but a later study showed conflicting results. The purpose of our pilot study was to investigate feasibility of using salivary ET-1 as a biomarker for OSCC in two groups: oral lichen planus (OLP) patients and patients with OSCC in remission. Saliva samples were collected from five groups of subjects: patients with newly diagnosed, active OSCC (Group A); patients with OSCC in remission (Group B); patients with active OLP lesions (Group C); patients with OLP in remission (Group D); and normal controls (Group E). Salivary ET-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the results were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. The mean salivary ET-1 level in Group A was significantly higher than that found in Group C (p=0.001), Group D (p=0.015) or Group E (p=0.004). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean salivary ET-1 levels between Groups A and B; Groups B and C; Groups B and D; Groups B and E; Groups C and D; Groups C and E; or Groups D and E. Salivary ET-1 could be a good biomarker for OSCC development in OLP patients regardless of the degree of OLP disease activity. However, it appeared not to be a good biomarker for detecting recurrence of OSCC in patients in remission.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Case-Control Studies; Endothelin-1; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Lichen Planus, Oral; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pilot Projects; Saliva

This experiment is carried out to investigate roles of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor and mitogenic peptide, in fibrosis and collagen production.. 30 cases of oral submucous fibrosis(OSF), 10 cases of oral lichen planus (OLP) and 10 cases of normal control, were studied by means of SABC immunohistochemical method with polyclonal antisera to ET-1 and using image pattern analysis technique.. 1. Oral mucosa from OLP and normal control expressed very little ET-1. By contrast, there was striking expression of ET-1 in oral mucosa from OSF; 2. The cellular content of ET-1 in OSF was significantly higher than that in normal control (P < 0.01), while the cellular content of ET-1 in the early and moderate stages OSF were significantly higher than that in the advanced stage(P < 0.01); 3. The cellular content of ET-1 in the early and moderate stages OSF were significantly higher than that in OLP(P < 0.01); 4. There was a significantly positive correlation between cellular contents of epithelia and interstitial(P < 0.05).. These findings suggest that cell-specific expression of ET-1 may play a role in pathogenesis of OSF.

Topics: Endothelin-1; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lichen Planus, Oral; Mouth Mucosa; Oral Submucous Fibrosis