title: Oxidant/antioxidant status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae, and oxidative stress presumably contributes to its pathogenesis. The study was performed to evaluate the involvement of oxidant toxicity in this disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with RAS (n = 26) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 20) were included in this study. Following an overnight fast, blood specimens were obtained. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations and erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase activities were determined. Also, plasma vitamin E and selenium levels were detected. Mann-Whitney U-test was performed for statistical evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oxidative stress was confirmed by the significant elevation in plasma malondialdehyde levels and by the significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activities, vitamin E and selenium levels (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicated that lipid peroxidation and the inadequacy of the defense system seem to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biochemistry and Dermatology, Baskent University, Alanya Hospital, Yunus Emre Street No:1, 07400 Alanya/Antalya, Turkey. serapa@baskent-aln.edu.tr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arikan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durusoy
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akalin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haberal
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seckin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium