title: Trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium and molybdenum) as markers in oral sub mucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Oral cancer is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide and is prevalent in most areas where tobacco related practices are observed. Essential elements play a role in many biochemical reactions as a micro-source and there is growing evidence that their concentrations are altered on the onset and progress of malignant disease. In this study the levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and molybdenum (Mo) in serum of patients with oral sub mucous fibrosis (OSMF) (n = 30) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (n = 30); were determined and the alterations of these critical parameters were analyzed in comparison with controls (n = 30) to identify predictors amongst these parameters for disease occurrence and progression. The serum Cu and Zn were established using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Serum estimation of Se and Mo was done by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Data analysis revealed a marked, progressive and significant increase in Cu levels in precancer (OSMF) and cancer (OSCC) groups as compared to the normal group. The level of Zn in serum was slightly elevated in OSMF and OSCC though not statistically significant. Cu/Zn ratio was slightly but not significantly elevated. Serum levels of Se and Mo were significantly decreased in the precancer and cancer groups as compared to the normals.
authors.affiliation: Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai 400 008, India. Electronic address: sunalikhanna@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sunali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Udas
authors.forename: G Kiran
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suvarna
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Karjodkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000097:blood*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: AAS; Copper; Cu; Cu/Zn ratio; DNA; EDXF; Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence; GFAAS; GSH-Px; HEPA; High Efficiency Particulate Air; ICPMS; Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry; LOD; Mo; Molybdenum; NIST; National Institute of Standards and Techniques; OSCC; OSMF; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; PIXES; Proton induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry; RNA; SPSS; Se; Selenium; Statistical Package for Social Science; Zinc; Zn; atomic absorption spectrometry; copper; copper/zinc ratio; deoxyribonucleic acid; glutathione peroxidase; graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry; limit of detection; molybdenum; oral squamous cell carcinoma; oral sub mucous fibrosis; ribonucleic acid; selenium; zinc