Salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration

Background: Recurrent apthous ulceration (RAU) is a well known oral disease which seems to be mediated principally by the immune system. However, it is still a matter of debate which part of the immune system is implicated in its pathogenesis as a reaction to the still unknown antigen. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Methods: In 26 patients with minor RAU, age range of 23–49 years (mean 27.3 years), during both the acute phase and remission and in 26 healthy controls, age range of 22–64 years (mean 30.1 years), salivary IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels were determined by use of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics. Results: Significant differences in salivary TNF‐α between healthy controls and patients with acute RAU and during the remission period were found (P