Evaluation of the efficacy of vitamin D in the treatment of oral lichen planus: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease without a known etiology. Recent studies have indicated the role of vitamin D on immune system and proposed its anti-inflammatory effects. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on the severity of pain, burning, and lesions of patients with OLP and serum levels of interleukin ۶ (IL-۶) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) after the intervention.METHODS: ۲۸ patients with OLP with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency participated in this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were divided into the two groups of intervention (n = ۱۳) and control (n = ۱۵). Serum levels of TNF-α, vitamin D, and IL-۶ were assessed before and ۸ weeks after the treatment. The intervention and control groups were given one capsule of ۵۰۰۰۰ units of vitamin D and one placebo capsule weekly for ۸ weeks, and they were also examined every other week, in terms of the severity of lesions (Thongprasom Index) and the severity of pain and burning [visual analog scale (VAS)]. The data analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software and statistical tests included independent t-test, chi-square test, Mann–Whitney U-test, repeated measures test, and Pearson correlation coefficient test. The P-value < ۰.۰۵ was considered as significant.RESULTS: The severity of lesions was significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = ۰.۰۴۳). After the treatment, the mean IL-۶ levels significantly decreased in the intervention and control groups compared to pre-treatment conditions (P = ۰.۰۰۵ and P = ۰.۰۱۴, respectively). Moreover, the mean TNF-α concentrations significantly decreased only in the intervention group (P < ۰.۰۰۱).CONCLUSION: Vitamin D reduced the severity of OLP lesions, IL-۶, and TNF-α. Vitamin D can be suggested as adjuvant therapy for patients with OLP; however, further studies are required to confirm these effects.

Keywords:

Vitamin D , Oral lichen planus , Interleukin-۶ , Tumor Necrosis Factor , visual analog scale