Saliva Levels of Adrenergic Receptors in Relation to Psychological Factors in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus

Objective: To evaluate the saliva level of α1 and β1 adrenergic receptors (ARs) in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients.
Methods: This case-control study included unstimulated saliva samples from 33 OLP patients (14 erosive, 19 non-erosive) and 33 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated on psychological conditions via the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 items (DASS 21). The saliva levels of α1 and β1 ARs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analysed with a t test using SPSS 25 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: The saliva levels of α1 and β1 ARs of OLP patients (both erosive and non-erosive forms) were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Stress levels in patients with both forms of OLP were significantly higher than in the healthy group. There was a positive correlation between salivary α1 and β1 ARs and stress, and this positive correlation was also seen for saliva β1 ARs between anxiety or depression. The saliva level of α1 ARs was inversely correlated with unstimulated salivary flow rates (r = −0.246; P = 0.046).
Conclusion: This study indicated that OLP patients with both erosive and non-erosive forms have higher psychological stress and saliva levels of α1 and β1 ARs than healthy controls; however, the role of α1 and β1 ARs as salivary markers with regard to the development, severity of symptoms and outcome of OLP needs further investigation.