title: Evaluation of the possible role of copper ions in drinking water in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis: a pilot study.
abstract: We aimed to investigate the concentration of copper ions in drinking water and to assess whether copper has a role in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). We studied 50 patients with clinically and histologically diagnosed OSMF from the Yadgir district of Karnataka in India. Fifty healthy people matched for age and sex were used as controls. In both groups concentrations of copper ions in serum, saliva, and home drinking water were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and intelligent nephelometry technology. Serum ceruloplasmin concentrations were also estimated in both groups. The mean (SD) concentration of copper in the home drinking water of patients with OSMF was significantly higher (764.3 (445.9)μmol/L) than in the controls (305.7 (318.5)μmol/L) (p<0.001). Patients with OSMF also had a significantly higher copper concentrations in serum and saliva, and serum ceruloplasmin than controls (p<0.001). For the first time these data have shown a positive association between copper concentrations in home drinking water and OSMF. It raises the possibility that increased copper in drinking water contributes to the development of OSMF, and adds to that ingested when areca nut is chewed.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Navodaya Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India; Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India. Electronic address: gururaj.arakeri@gmail.com.
authors: Gururaj
authors: G
authors: Arakeri
authors: Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India.
authors: Shekhar Gowda
authors: SG
authors: Patil
authors: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Navodaya Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors: D N S V
authors: DN
authors: Ramesh
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors: Santosh
authors: S
authors: Hunasgi
authors: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, United Kingdom.
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper; D002570:Ceruloplasmin
keywords: Copper; Home drinking water; Oral submucous fibrosis; Pathogenesis