title: Relationship between oxidative stress and "burning mouth syndrome" in female patients: a scientific hypothesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is characterized by burning sensation and pain in the mouth with or without inflammatory signs and specific lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aim of the present study was to investigate about a possible correlation between the Burning Mouth Syndrome and oxidative stress. We recruited 18 healthy female patients between 54 and 68 years of age with a diagnosis of Burning Mouth Syndrome. Oxidative stress assessment was performed by means of an integrated analytical system composed of a photometer and a mini-centrifuge (FRAS4, H and D s.r.l., Parma, Italy). Samples of whole capillary blood were taken by a finger puncture in a heparinized tube and immediately centrifuged; a small amount of samples plasma (10 microL) were thereafter tested for total oxidant capacity (d-ROMs test) and biological antioxidant potential as iron-reducing activity (BAP test) (Diacron International s.r.l., Grosseto, Italy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicate that female patients affected by Burning Mouth Syndrome show significantly different d-ROMs and BAP levels, similar to those present in oxidative stress condition with respect to the general population. It was also emphasized that, after the most painful phase, the levels representing the present oxidative stress, progressively return to normal, even if still significantly higher 7 days after, with respect to the normal population. No similar study was performed up to now.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the effectiveness of antioxidant treatments in the patients affected by BMS, in order to prevent or decrease the onset of oxidative stress and the consequent increased risk of oxidative-related systemic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatullo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marrelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scacco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doria
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabatini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auteri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cagiano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inchingolo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants