Abstract

 
 
 
 Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone on rabbits suffering from oral ulcers, and the underlying mechanism(s) of action.
 Methods: A rabbit model of oral ulcer was established by applying 40 % glacial acetic acid solution to the oral buccal membranes of the animals. Three groups of rabbits were used. Changes in area of the oral ulcer were recorded after dexamethasone administration. Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were assayed using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), while MDA levels and expression levels of IL- 6, IL-8 and TNF-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Local histopathological changes were examined histologically with the aid of hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining.
 Results: There were reductions in ulcer areas in group C on the 2nd, 4th and 7th days of dexamethasone administration, when compared with group B (p < 0.05). The EGF levels in the buccal mucosa of rabbits in groups B and C were significantly higher than those in group A (p < 0.05), while the highest EGF level was in group C (p < 0.05). The levels of MDA, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α significantly increased in groups B and C (p < 0.05). Results from H & E staining showed lower levels of inflammatory cells in group C than in group B, with visible proliferation of fibroblast cells and epithelial cells in group C after dexamethasone administration.
 Conclusion: Dexamethasone accelerates healing of oral ulcer by regulating EGF levels. This finding provides a new approach to the treatment of oral ulcers.
 
 
 
Highlights
Oral ulcers are superficial lesions which vary in size and shape from round to oval
The other animals were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, normal saline (NS) pellicles group, in which the oral ulcer model was established but the animals were treated with NS pellicles; and dexamethasone group, in which the oral ulcer animals were treated with dexamethasone
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to determine the contents of MDA, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in tissue homogenates of oral ulcer samples according to instructions of the respective kit manufacturers
Summary
Oral ulcers are superficial lesions which vary in size and shape from round to oval. They often occur on the lips, cheeks and tongue edges, usually accompanied by congestion and local pain. Four rabbits were randomly selected for use in establishment of an oral ulcer model (model group) by applying 40 % glacial acetic acid to the buccal membranes of the animals. Yellow or white pseudo membrane covered the treated parts, indicating that the oral ulcer model was successfully established. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to determine the contents of MDA, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in tissue homogenates of oral ulcer samples according to instructions of the respective kit manufacturers. Another part of ulcerous tissue was routinely processed for light microscopy using H & E staining.
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