Assessment of serum copper, iron and immune complexes in potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer

Abstract

Potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) of oral cavity and oral cancer remain a cause of serious concern despite intensive research and development. Diet and immunity have been identified to play a crucial role as modifying factors in these diseases. Our study intended to explore this relationship by estimating and comparing the serum levels of copper, iron and circulating immune complexes (CICs) in patients diagnosed with PMDs and oral cancer and normal healthy individuals. In this study, 40 histopathologically diagnosed cases of PMDs and oral cancer were included along with 30 healthy controls and 5 ml of venous blood was drawn using venipuncture. Serum estimation of copper, iron and CIC then followed using the colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using one way ANOVA and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Test. The mean serum copper level was measured as 138.98 ± 10.13µg/100ml in the PMD group and 141.99 ± 21.44 µg/100ml in the oral cancer as compared to 105.5 + 18.81µ/100ml in the controls. The mean serum CIC levels was highest in the oral cancer (9.65 ± 0.16OD470) followed by the PMD group (0.18 + 0.21 OD470) and least in the control group (0.048 ± 0.02OD470). Whereas, the serum levels of iron showed a significant decrease in the PMD group (110.9 ± 10.54 µg/100ml) and the oral cancer group (114.29 ± 25.83 µg/100ml) as compared with the control group (136.85 ± 14.48 µg/100ml). There was no positive correlation obtained between the three groups with respect to the chosen parameters indicating that the variables were independent of each other. It can be thus be ascertained that trace elements like copper and iron as well as humoral responses (CICs) have a close relationship with PMDs and oral cancers.

Zinc, Copper, and Iron in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Meta-Analysis

“…It is required for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the cells in the form of hemoglobin, plays an important role in DNA synthesis and energy metabolism, and is crucial for the development and maintenance of oral mucosa. In investigations that have evaluated the levels of Fe in OSF [ 23 , 27 , 30 , 36 , 38 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 60 ], mean serum Fe concentrations in OSF patients were lower than the control groups, and the collagen content was significantly higher.…”

“…All data were analyzed in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22, Armonk, NY, 2013) [ 48 ]. Characteristics of the publications that were included are presented in Table 1 [ 12 , 23 , 24 , 26 – 38 , 49 – 66 ]. Standard deviations of the micronutrient values and their associated sample sizes were used to calculate the pooled sample variances.…”

“…Investigations have reported diminished Zn and Fe values in OSF subjects, as compared to healthy controls [ 26 – 31 ]. In contrast, Cu levels in serum/plasma/saliva have been observed to be elevated rather consistently [ 23 , 26 , 28 – 30 , 32 – 38 ].…”

Tobacco influence in heavy metals levels in head and neck cancer cases

“…They are also described as a risk factor for lung and bladder cancer development, with a likely relationship between this exposure and malignant tumors of the nasal cavities. However, the direct relationship between oral, pharynx, and larynx malignant neoplasms remains controversial (Stewart and Wild 2014;Tiwari et al 2016).…”

“…Copper and iron analysis and their relationship with immune complexes in premalignant lesions and mouth SCC have been considered as possible disease biomarkers (Tiwari et al 2016).…”