title: Effect of α-tocopherol on salivary reactive oxygen species and trace elements in oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease and a well-recognized, potentially malignant condition of the oral cavity associated with betel quid chewing. Betel quid chewing is a popular oral habit in India and shows strong association in the incidence of OSMF. The objective of the study was to determine the levels of trace elements, pro-oxidants and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in saliva of betel quid chewers and OSMF patients, which may help in the diagnosis of cancer progression in the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 35 cases of OSMF and 35 cases of healthy individuals were included in the present study. The salivary status of ROS, pro-oxidants and some trace elements was studied in OSMF patients and normal healthy individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of lipid peroxides (P < 0.001), conjugated dienes (P < 0.01), hydroxyl radicals (P < 0.01), superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), copper (P < 0.05), calcium (P < 0.01), magnesium (NS), potassium (P < 0.05) and iron (P < 0.05) in OSMF patients were elevated when compared with normal healthy individuals. The levels of hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.05) and sodium (P < 0.01) in OSMF patients were found to be decreased when compared with control subjects. A significant alteration was noticed after supplementing with α-tocopherol in oral precancerous patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These parameters may help in the detection of the severity of oral diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India. chiresh2006@gmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chitra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balasubramaniam
authors.forename: Jayram
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hazra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000032:analysis; D007194:India; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014131:Trace Elements; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D003300:Copper; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol