Plasma lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveOral precancerous lesions like oral leukoplakia and oral submucosal fibrosis are very common in north Indian population which often leads to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Chewing of tobacco, pan masala, and betel nut is very common among north Indian women. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is an important outcome of this habit. Imbalance between ROS and antioxidants leads to oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to determine the level of antioxidants in oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer to predict disease susceptibility.MethodThe study group consisted of 120 subjects among which 25 were with histopathologically confirmed oral cancer, 50 with histopathologically confirmed oral precancerous lesions, and 45 were healthy controls. Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite.ResultResults demonstrated a decrease in antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, SOD, and GR in oral precancerous lesion and oral cancer from that of healthy control. An increase in reduced glutathione concentration was observed in oral precancerous lesion and oral cancer as compared to healthy control. Malondialdehyde level was increased significantly in oral cancer. Increase in nitrite concentration was not statistically significant in oral precancerous lesion and oral cancer patients as compared to control.ConclusionOxidative stress and antioxidants have been found to be important indicators in oral cancer and in pre‐malignant lesions which may predict susceptibility of development of oral cancer.