Effects of radiation and alpha-tocopherol on saliva flow rate, amylase activity, total protein and electrolyte levels in oral cavity cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to evaluate early and late effects of radiation and a-tocopherol on the secretion rate of saliva and on selected saliva salivary parameters in oral cavity cancer patients.


METHODS
Eighty-nine histologically confirmed oral cavity cancer patients (OCC) were enrolled in the study. Resting whole saliva was collected before, during and at the end of the radiation therapy (RT) and simultaneous supplementation with alpha - tocopherol to the radiation treated patients (RT + AT).


RESULTS
Salivary flow rate, pH, amylase activity, total protein, sodium and potassium were analyzed. Increased pH, potassium and decreased flow rate, amylase activity, protein content and sodium were observed in 6 weeks of radiation treated patients when compared to OCC patients. A significant improvement of those parameters was observed on alpha - tocopherol supplementation in RT + AT patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with alpha - tocopherol improves the salivary flow rate thereby, maintains salivary parameters.
Chitra
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Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramachandra College of Biomedical Science, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra University and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai - 600 116, India. chiresh2006@yahoo.com
Shyamala Devi
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000681:Amylases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004573:Electrolytes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D012964:Sodium; D000681:Amylases; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D011188:Potassium