Analysis of plasma fibronectin levels in patients affected by oral lichen planus

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients affected by Oral Lichen Plauns (OLP) show lower levels of salivary fibronectin when compared with normal controls. Similarly, tissutal fibronectin expression is lost in epidermal basal layer and papillary dermis of OLP patients. To date, no data exist on the potential role of Plasma Fibronectin(PFn) in OLP pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. The objectives of the present study are: a) to determine the PFn levels in OLP patients; b) to evaluate a possible association between OLP clinical form and PFn levels; and c) to determine the PFn levels in relation to OLP signs and symptoms treatment. Twenty consecutive patients affected by OLP were enrolled. All patients were treated for eight weeks with topical clobetasol 0.05%. OLP signs and symptoms were scored before and after treatment. PFn level was determined by a nephelometric system. OLP signs and symptoms significantly improved after treatment. The mean levels of PFn were 31.84mg/dL at the beginning and 26.76mg/dL at the end of the study. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.60). PFn in OLP patients remains in normal value range. OLP clinical form does not influence the PFn levels. Amelioration of symptoms and signs of atrophic-erosive and reticular OLP are induced by clobetasol treatment and the PFn seems not to interfere in the healing processes induced by topical corticosteroid. In contrast to what is observed in traumatic or diabetic wound healing, levels of PFn do not promote OLP lesion healing. PFn is not to be considered as a marker of OLP disease activity and its role in OLP pathogenesis still remains unclear