DECREASED LEVELS OF SALIVARY PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) AND EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR IN RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS

Prostaglandin E(2) and epidermal growth factor are two important cytop rotective compounds in saliva. This study investigated their salivary levels in controls and individuals with minor recurrent aphthous stoma titis. The development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis was divided in to three stages: (1) early active stage(mucosal redness); (2) active s tage (mucosal ulceration); (3) convalescent stage. Unstimulated mixed saliva was collected from each volunteer. Salivary prostaglandin E(2) and epidermal growth factor concentrations were determined by radioimm unoassay. Their levels (mean +/-SEM) were significantly lower during t he active stage of ulceration as compared to the control: (a) for pros taglandin E(2), 200 +/- 55 versus 73 +/- 11 pg/mg salivary protein (p < 0.01), 447 +/- 123 versus 112 +/- 19 pg/ml saliva (p < 0.01), 215 +/ - 30 versus 63 +/- 12 pg/min salivary how (p < 0.01), control (n = 12) Versus active stage (n = 15); (b) for epidermal growth factor, 1.09 /- 0.17 versus 0.67 +/- 0.17 ng/mg salivary protein (p < 0.05); 2.51 /- 0.53 versus 0.84 +/- 0.19 pg/ml saliva (p < 0.05), 1.24 +/- 0.26 ve rsus 0.41 +/- 0.09 pg/min salivary flow (p < 0.05), control (n = 12) v ersus active stage (n = 12). Salivary prostaglandin E(2) and epidermal growth factor showed stage-dependent alterations during the developme nt of the stomatitis. The prostaglandin E(2) concentration decreased s ignificantly during the active stage of ulceration, and then increased significantly during the convalescent stage. However, the recovery of salivary epidermal growth factor after the ulceration was slower than that of the prostaglandin E(2). It is suggested that the diminution o f prostaglandin E(2) and epidermal growth factor in the saliva may be associated with the ulcer development.