Salivary E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Levels in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

ELISA: Unstimulated saliva samples will be non-invasively collected from participants in this study to measure the concentrations of E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and MMP-9. These protein concentrations will be quantified using commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits.

Study summary

The goal of this observational cross-sectional study is to determine the salivary levels of E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) and to compare them with those of healthy controls.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Are the salivary levels of E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and MMP-9 significantly different in patients with minor RAS compared to healthy controls?

Can these salivary proteins serve as biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of minor RAS?

Researchers will compare patients with minor RAS and healthy individuals to determine whether differences in salivary E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and MMP-9 levels are associated with the presence of disease.

Participants will:

Provide unstimulated saliva samples using a saliva swab

Undergo clinical evaluation for periodontal status (Community Periodontal Index - CPI) and caries experience (DMFT index)

Collected saliva samples will be stored at -80°C until analysis. The concentrations of the investigated proteins will be measured using ELISA kits, and total protein levels will be determined using a colorimetric protein assay.

The relationships among the salivary concentrations of the investigated proteins, as well as their associations with demographic variables such as age and sex, will be analyzed.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Salivary Concentrations of E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) Using ELISA — Baseline (single visit)
  The concentrations of E-cadherin, Calprotectin, and MMP-9 in unstimulated saliva samples will be measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Commercially available human ELISA kits will be used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. The analysis will be performed on the saliva supernatant collected from each participant, and results will be reported in ng/mL. Saliva samples will be collected from two groups: Minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) patients: Patients who present with at least one active aphthous ulcer at the time of saliva collection. Healthy controls: Participants without current aphthous lesions or any other active oral mucosal pathology at the time of saliva collection.

Trial sites (1)