Background: Tumor markers, designated as a broad group of substances produced by malignancies, could be in the form of biochemical substances, immunological substances, cell surface changes and genetic alterations. Cancer, a disorder of cellular behavior is characterized by alteration of serum glycoproteins. L-fucose, a hexose, which is the terminal sugar in most of the plasma glycoproteins, may be useful as a tumor marker for the detection, monitoring and prognostic assessment of malignancies. The aim of the study was to ascertain the role of serum fucose as a biomarker for early detection of oral cancer and to compare serum fucose levels in healthy controls, leukoplakia and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 60 (100.0%) subjects, who were grouped as 20 (33.3%) control subjects, 20 (33.3%) squamous cell carcinoma patients and 20 (33.3%) leukoplakia patients. Fucose estimation was done using UV-visible spectrophotometry based on the method as adopted by Winzler using cysteine reagent. The results were analyzed statistically using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Results showed a high significance in serum fucose in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia subjects compared to normal controls. There was a gradual increase in the values noted from control to leukoplakia and to squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Estimation of serum fucose may be a reliable marker and can be used as an effective diagnostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.
BACKGROUND:Periodontitis is the major cause of tooth loss and is significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. Glycoconjugates are expressed on the cell surface as components of glycoproteins, glycosphingo lipids and proteoglycans and plays a vital role in infection and disease. The objective of the study was to assess the changes in salivary glycoconjugates levels in chronic periodontitis (CP) and in healthy individuals without periodontitis. This study was undertaken as a preliminary step towards the use of salivary glycoconjugates as reliable markers of CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 subjects took part in the study. 75 patients with CP (aged 30-55) and 75 age and sex matched healthy controls. Salivary glycoconjugates -sialic acid both -free (FSA) and protein bound (PBSA), L-Fucose (Fuc) and Total protein (Tp) were assessed in both cases and in controls by standard methods. RESULTS:The salivary glycoconjugate levels were significantly higher in CP compared to normal healthy controls. Salivary FSA, Fuc and Tp in CP were elevated with mean ± SD values being 25.9±4.02, 46.9±5.65 and 178.4±23.1 mg/L respectively when compared to healthy controls 19.69±4.53, 42.1±3.2, 90.62±15.8 mg/ L respectively which was found to be statistically significant (p<.001). The values of salivary PBSA were significantly lowered when compared to healthy controls. (p <.01) CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that salivary glycoconjugates could be sensitive biochemical markers of chronic periodontitis.
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