A Study on Alterations in Plasma Lipid Profile Patterns in OSMF Patients

Abstract

Background: Lipids play a key role in maintenance of cell integrity. These are major cell membrane components essential for various biological functions, including cell growth and division of normal and malignant tissues. Changes in lipid profile have long been associated with malignancies. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in lipid profile in untreated patients of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Materials and methods: In this hospital-based study, 20 clinically diagnosed patients of OSMF between the age group of 20 and 50 years male patients were studied. In these samples, serum lipids including: (i) serum cholesterol, (ii) LDL cholesterol (LDLC), (iii) HDL cholesterol (HDLC), (iv) VLDL cholesterol (VLDLC), (v) serum triglycerides, (vi) HDLC/ LDLC ratio and (viii) serum cholesterol/ HDLC ratio were analyzed. Results: Serum cholesterol and LDLC showed a significant decrease whereas serum triglycerides and HDLC were slightly increased in some patients with OSMF. Thus, study strengthens the evidence of alterations in plasma lipid levels in OSMF patients. Conclusion: The findings strongly warrant a large sample size and an in-depth study of alterations in plasma lipid profile in OSMF patients as well as other oral precancerous conditions.