Salivary analysis of reactive oxygen species in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

In this in vitro study, evaluation of biochemical diagnostic markers like prooxidants, free radicals, total protein content and trace elements has been carried out. Significant elevation in the level of lipid peroxides (p<0.001) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) was found when compared to Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis (OSMF) patients. Conjugated dienes (p<0.001) were found to be increased in OSMF compared to OSCC patients. There were increased levels of hydroxyl and hydrogen peroxides radicals (p<0.001) in OSMF compared to OSCC patients. An elevated level of trace elements (p<0.001 & p<0.05) was found in OSMF than OSCC patients. High level of zinc & iron (p<0.001) were found in OSCC patients. Total protein content and trace elements alone were found in normal healthy individuals. No detectable amount of prooxidants and free radicals were observed in normal healthy individuals. This shows that the above parameters may be used as good biochemical diagnostic marker for the detection of oral cancer at early stages of cancer development.