Serum Levels of Selenium in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Abstract

Background and purpose: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common recurrent ulcers in the oral mucosa and its etiology is not yet elucidated, but the immune system dysfunction and oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of RAS. Selenium has regulatory role in the immune system and oxidative stress. This study aims to compare serum levels of selenium between patients with RAS and healthy controls. Materials and methods: This case-control study was performed in 50 patients with minor RAS and 53 healthy controls that were matched for age and sex. Blood samples were obtained from all participants and selenium serum levels were measured. Data were analyzed in SPSS V17 applying independent sample t-test and Chi-square. Results: The average age of the controls and case group was 34.77±8.21 and 37.68±9.69 years, respectively and women included 67.9% and 74%, respectively .The mean serum level of selenium in the control group (49.16±17.03 µg/L) was significantly higher than that of the case group (31.09±17.74µg/L) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Serum levels of selenium are lower in patients with RAS than healthy controls.

Keywords

• recurrent aphthous stomatitis
• selenium
• immune system
• oxidative stress