Antioxidant-Oxidant Index as a Biomarker in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Biochemical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress has been implicated in tumourigenesis by affecting the actions of various protein kinases and transcription factors, and resulting in damage to DNA structure by the deamination of nucleotides and the generation of free radicals. Derangements in the antioxidant defence mechanism have been considered in the pathogenesis of oral cancer.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the serum levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C in cases of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum from 20 patients with OSCC, 20 patients with OPMDs and 10 healthy subjects were analyzed for levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C using UV spectrophotometry. Antioxidant-Oxidant Index (AOI) was calculated by calculating the ratio between the levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C.

RESULTS: The mean nitric oxide levels were elevated in OSCC group, as compared to OPMD and control group, whereas, mean serum vitamin C levels were reduced in OSCC group as compared to OPMDs and control group (statistically significant, p<0.05). There was significant increase in AOI from control group (0.023), OPMDs (0.167) and OSCC group (0.279) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Assessment of levels of antioxidant oxidant markers are useful tools in monitoring the progression of OPMDs to OSCC. AOI is an objective tool to assess the oxidative stress in these patients.