Proteins of the oral mucosa in experimental herpetic stomatitis

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of acute phase proteins levels and permeability proteins in the tissues of oral mucosa and blood plasma in case of experimental herpetic stomatitis.

Methods. Levels of total protein, C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, α1-antitrypsin, prealbumin, albumin and microalbumin were determined in the homogenates of oral mucosa and blood plasma of 30 rats with experimental herpetic stomatitis.

Results. Levels of C-reactive protein, orosomucoid and α1-antitrypsin in serum of rats with experimental herpetic stomatitis are increased. In the homogenates of the rat oral mucosa, levels of the studied proteins increased significantly, by 1.5-3.5 times compared to the control levels. Total protein, orosomucoid, prealbumin, and microalbumin levels increased not only in tissues affected by herpes, but also in the oral mucosa on the opposite side, indicating alterations of histochematic barrier transport of, most importantly, low molecular weight proteins, increased cell membrane permeability and changes in oral mucosa periodontal tissue structural integrity.

Conclusion. Herpetic infection of the oral cavity is accompanied by increased levels of acute phase reactants in rat oral mucosa both on the side of oral mucosa infected by herpes and on healthy side. The level of not only acute phase proteins, but also low-molecular transport proteins allows to evaluation the alterations of oral mucosa membrane permeability in herpetic stomatitis.