Identification and Functional Analysis of Serum Specific miRNAs in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients with Excess-heat or Yin-deficiency

Background:The treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS)based on syndrome differentiation has won the international acceptance,but the molecular mechanism of excess-heat syndrome and yin-deficiency syndrome of RAS remains unclear.Objective:To clarify specific microRNAs(miRNAs)and their functions in RAS patients with excess-heat or yin-deficiency.Methods:Serum samples were collected from patients meeting the RAS diagnostic criteria of excess-heat or yin-deficiency syndrome and healthy individuals.Core miRNAs were then identified under miRNA microarray anal-yses.Target prediction and bioinformatic analyses were carried out and gene-pathway-networks were visualized to better understand the relationship between different genes and pathways.Results:(1)90 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria were collected in this study.Among them,9 miRNAs were screened out in excess-heat syndrome group(EH group),with 1 upregulated and 8 downregulated.And four miRNAs(hsa-miR-20b-5p,hsa-miR-122-5p,hsa-miR-483-5p and hsa-miR-3197)were validated by real-time PCR method.14 miRNAs were screened out in yin-deficiency syndrome group(YD group)(7 upregulated and 7 downregulated).And hsa-miR-17-5p,hsa-miR-106-5p and hsa-miR-20b-5p were validated.(2)A total of 4,776 target genes were identified in EH group which enriched in GO categories including nervous system development and calcium ion binding and pathway such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Calcium signaling pathway.10,172 target genes were identified in YD group which enriched GO categories included protein binding and positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter and pathway included MAPK signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway.Conclusion:Hsa-miR-20b-5p in patients with RAS could act as the novel target for the classification of the syndrome.It is upregulated in RAS patients with excess-heat syndrome while downregulated in patients with yin-deficiency syndrome.The PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways and their related target genes may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of RAS with excess-heat syndrome or yin-deficiency syndrome,respectively.

Helicobacter pylori and oral pathology:Relationship with the gastric infection

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has been found in the oral cavity and stomach,and its infection is one of the most frequent worldwide.We reviewed the literature and conducted a Topic Highlight,which identified studies reporting an association between H.pylori-infection in the oral cavity and H.pylori-positive stomach bacterium.This work was designed to determine whether H.pylori is the etiologic agent in periodontal disease,recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS),squamous cell carcinoma,burning and halitosis.Record selection focused on the highest quality studies and meta-analyses.We selected 48 articles reporting on the association between saliva and plaque and H.pylori-infection.In order to assess periodontal disease data,we included 12 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis.We evaluated 13 published articles that addressed the potential association with RAS,and 6 with squamous cell carcinoma.Fourteen publications focused on our questions on burning and halitosis.There is a close relation between H.pylori infection in the oral cavity and the stomach.The mouth is the first extra-gastric reservoir.Regarding the role of H.pylori in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma,no evidence is still available.

A comparison of the effects of Kangfuxin liquid and watermelon frost spray for recurrent aphthous stomatitis:A meta-analysis

Through a meta-analysis,we comprehensively evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of Kangfuxin liquid(KFXL)in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS).Randomized controlled clinical trials(RCTs)involving RAS patients treated with KFXL were systematically retrieved from several online databases from inception to December 2021.All the study selection,data extraction,and quality assessments were performed by two independent investigators using the Cochrane systematic review method.The total effective rate,VAS pain score,recurrence rate,and ulcer healing time were analyzed using Rev Man 5.3 software and Stata 16.0.A total of 17 studies consisting of 1703 patients were included in our investigation.The pooled result indicated that when compared with watermelon frost spray(WFS),KFXL had a significantly superior clinical effectiveness rate(logRR=0.19,95%CI:0.15 to 0.22,P<0.00001).Moreover,the ulcer healing time(MD=–1.63,95%CI=–2.32 to–0.93,P<0.00001),VAS pain score(MD=–1.81,95%CI:–2.65 to–0.97,P=0.00),and recurrence rate(logRR=–0.65,95%CI=–0.89 to 0.42,P<0.00001)of patients with RAS were also significantly improved after receiving the KFXL therapy.Our study revealed that KFXL was a more effective treatment for RAS than WFS,and it could significantly decrease the VAS pain score,recurrence rate,and ulcer healing time in patients.However,our study was limited by the quality of available literature,and further robust trials are needed for a more accurate analysis.