Comparative analysis of trace elements in the saliva and serum of patients with oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma

  • Authors:
    • Vijayendra Kumar
    • Neema Kumari
    • Kranti Kiran Reddy Ealla
    • Shreya Gour
    • Himanshu Srivastava
    • Swathi Rallabhandi
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 12, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2024.2716
  • Article Number: 18
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Of note, one third of oral cancer or oral tissue dysfunction cases are from India, primarily resulting from the consumption of Gutkha, a type of smokeless tobacco prevalent among several Indian populations. Gutkha is a mixture of tobacco, areca nut, slaked lime, catechu, spices, sweeteners and essences. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which is linked to the consumption of areca nut products and tobacco, is a chronic, precancerous condition of the submucosal tissues. OSMF transforms into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) at a rate of 7‑13%. Gutkha also contains various trace elements, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and molybdenum (Mo). Alterations in trace element levels in the body are associated with cancer progression. The present study aimed to determine the levels of serum and salivary trace elements in patients with OSMF and OSCC. A total of 80 patients were selected for the study and were divided into four groups of 20 patients in each (Group A, gutkha intake without OSMF; group B, gutkha intake with OSMF; group C, OSCC; and group D, control). The level of Cu was found to be increased and the levels of Zn, Se and Mo were decreased in the serum of patients with OSMF and OSCC compared with the controls. The salivary levels of these elements were lower compared with those in the serum. Age and sex had no significant effect on the levels of these trace elements. The results of the present study affirm the fact that serum and salivary trace elements are altered in pre‑malignant and malignant lesions as the disease progresses. As the composition of saliva often varies, monitoring serum trace element levels as diagnostic and prognostic markers may aid in the early detection of the disease and in the management of the treatment efficacy.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

March-2024
Volume 20 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Kumar V, Kumari N, Ealla K, Gour S, Srivastava H and Rallabhandi S: Comparative analysis of trace elements in the saliva and serum of patients with oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Clin Oncol 20: 18, 2024
APA
Kumar, V., Kumari, N., Ealla, K., Gour, S., Srivastava, H., & Rallabhandi, S. (2024). Comparative analysis of trace elements in the saliva and serum of patients with oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 20, 18. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2024.2716
MLA
Kumar, V., Kumari, N., Ealla, K., Gour, S., Srivastava, H., Rallabhandi, S."Comparative analysis of trace elements in the saliva and serum of patients with oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 20.3 (2024): 18.
Chicago
Kumar, V., Kumari, N., Ealla, K., Gour, S., Srivastava, H., Rallabhandi, S."Comparative analysis of trace elements in the saliva and serum of patients with oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 20, no. 3 (2024): 18. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2024.2716