Serum and salivary cytokines in patients with oral lichen planus treated with Photobiomodulation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serum and salivary levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-10 in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) treated with Photobiomodulation (PBM) and clobetasol propionate 0.05%. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-four OLP patients were randomized into two groups: Control (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) and PBM (660 nm, 100 mW, 177 J/cm(2) , 5 s, 0.5 J per point). Serum and saliva were collected at baseline and at the end of treatment (after 30 days) and evaluated using ELISA. The cytokine results were correlated with pain, clinical subtypes, and clinical scores of OLP. RESULTS: IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-alpha, and IL-4 levels were higher in saliva in relation to serum. IL-1beta was the most concentrated cytokine in saliva, and a positive correlation with the severity of OLP was noticed. After treatment with corticosteroid, IL-1beta in saliva decreased significantly. No modulation of all cytokines was observed after PBM. CONCLUSION: IL-1beta appears to be an important cytokine involved in OLP pathogenesis. In addition, the mechanisms of action of PBM do not seem to be linked to the modulation of pro or anti-inflammatory cytokines at the end of treatment. It is possible that this events occurred early during treatment.