title: Estimation of Serum Protein in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Malignancy - A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In carcinogenesis, increased oxidative stress and weakened antioxidant defense produces damage to the macromolecules like proteins. Thus, protein can act as potential biomarker in oral premalignant and malignant lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine and compare the levels of serum proteins in Oral Submucuous Fibrosis (OSMF), Oral Leukoplakia (OL), Nicotina Stomatitis (NS), Oral Malignancy (OM) and Healthy Controls (HC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 250 participants, were equally divided in five groups i.e., OSMF, OL, NS, OM and HC. Five ml of blood was collected from antecubital vein from each participant. The serum was analyzed for total protein, albumin and globulin levels using EBRA EM 200 semi-quantitive analyzer with the help of diagnostic kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were total 193 males and 57 females, who were between 18 to 82 years of age, with a mean of 46.32±13.89 years. The serum protein and globulin levels were significantly decreased in OSMF, OL and NS and increased in OM as compared to HC (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in serum albumin levels between the study groups (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum proteins can be used as diagnostic and prognostic marker for oral premalignant and malignant lesions.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, K. M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University , Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India .
authors.forename: Chandramani B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: More
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, K. M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University , Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India .
authors.forename: Palak H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, K. M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University , Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India .
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venkatesh
keywords: Albumin; Globulin; Nicotina stomatitis; Oral Leukoplakia; Oral malignancy; Oral submucous fibrosis; Serum protein