Purpose: To explore the possible relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.
Methods: A total of 124 RAU patients were recruited for this study. The control group consisted of 133 healthy subjects. Serum NFκBp50, NFκBp65, IκBα and IKK concentration were detected by ELISA.NFκB-94 ins/del ATTG sites were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). Relative risk ratios were estimated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software package.
Results: Serum NFκBp50, NFκBp65 and IKK levels in RAU patients were significantly lower than those of the controls (P<0.05). Serum IκBα level in RAU patients was significantly higher than those of the controls (P<0.05). Significant differences were found in the genotype frequencies or allele frequencies of NFκB-94 ins/del ATTG sites between RAU patients and controls (P<0.05). ID genotype（OR=3.073，95%CI=1.557-6.067）, DD genotype (OR=4.851，95%CI=2.264-10.393), and D allele （OR=2.079，95%CI=1.462-2.957） at NFκB-94 ins/del ATTG site exhibited high risks of RAU.
Conclusions: NF kappa B signaling pathway is associated with RAU.NFκB-94 ins/del ATTG sites are associated with higher risk of RAU. NFκB-94 ins/del ATTG D allele may serve as genetic determinants for RAU.