Estimation of Iron and Vitamin C Levels In Serum and Saliva: A Clinical and Biochemical Study In Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients

Abstract

Background: OSMF is a well-recognized, potentially malignant condition of the oral cavity. Monitoring the widespread consequences of OSMF requires interventions in at-risk persons ideally earlier the disease becomes aggressive. Iron and vitamin C have been widely studied in recent years to judge whether they have any modifying effects in the etiology of precancer and cancer. Aim of study was to evaluate levels of iron and vitamin C in serum and saliva in patients with OSMF. Methods: Study group comprised of 66 patients, out of which 22 cases of clinically diagnosed OSMF patients and 22 cases of betelnut habitual without OSMF and 22 cases of age and sex matched control healthy patients were recruited. Estimation of Iron by Ferrozine method and vitamin C by 2-4 dinitrophenylhydrazine method in serum and saliva was carried out by using Spectrophotometer. The statistical analysis was done. Results: Level of iron and vitamin C in serum and saliva was significantly decreased in OSMF patients when compared to betelnut habitual and controls group which were statistically significant. Conclusion: The present study, all the cases of OSMF showed decrease in iron and vitamin C levels which suggests that the iron and vitamin C plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of OSMF. In group II (Betel nut habituals without OSMF) patients showed decrease in iron and vitamin C levels which suggest that, betel nut quid with or without tobacco consumption may alter the serum and salivary levels of iron and vitamin C and plays an important role in the advancement of OSMF. Therefore regular monitoring of betel nut habituals should also be carried out because they are at higher risk of developing OSMF in future. Study indicates that saliva also may be used as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool to evaluate the iron and vitamin C in OSMF patients. Estimation of iron and vitamin C in OSMF patients would help in management, in developing therapies based on the trace element expression.