Estimation Of Copper, Zinc And Iron In Saliva And Serum And Its Correlation With Histological Grades Of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION- Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive disorder affecting the oral cavity, notably recognized for its potential to undergo malignant transformation. The condition typically begins with erythema, blister formation, and ulceration within the oral mucosa. Although its exact pathogenesis remains unclear, habitual betel quid chewing is regarded as the primary etiological factor. Although technological progress has been made, the application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in evaluating trace elements remains underexplored. This study highlights the necessity for continued research into these elements to facilitate early diagnosis and enhance the clinical management of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

AIM & OBJECTIVE:  

AIM-To quantify, compare and correlate serum and salivary levels of copper, zinc and ferrum in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and healthy volunteers using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

OBJECTIVES-

1. To quantify serum and salivary levels of copper, zinc and Ferrum in patients with OSMF (Group1).
2. To quantify serum and salivary levels of copper, zinc and Ferrum in healthy volunteers (Group 2).
3. To compare and correlate serum and salivary levels of copper, zinc and Ferrum in different histopathological grades of OSMF.
4. To compare and correlate serum and salivary levels of copper, zinc and Ferrum between the groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY- A case-control study involving 40 participants (20 OSMF patients, 20 healthy controls) was conducted at Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College. Following clinical diagnosis, buccal mucosa punch biopsies were obtained under local anaesthesia, fixed in 10% formalin, sectioned into 4 μm slices, and mounted on albumin-coated slides.

For trace element analysis via ICP-MS, fasting venous blood and unstimulated saliva were collected, centrifuged, and stored at −40°C. Analytical procedures followed stringent calibration and quality control protocols to quantify copper, zinc, and iron—key biomarkers implicated in the pathophysiology and early detection of OSMF.

RESULTS:

Mean Age: Comparable between groups (35.75 vs. 37.15 years; p = 0.7800)

Gender Distribution: Male predominance in Group 1 (80%) vs. Group 2 (55%); not statistically significant (p = 0.0910)Mouth Opening: Significantly reduced in Group 1 (21.80 ± 8.01 mm) vs. Group 2 (51.15 ± 6.69 mm); p = 0.0001Regarding serum trace element levels-Copper was significantly elevated in Group 1 (2799 ± 434.18 μg/l) compared to Group 2 (1906.30 ± 43.06 μg/l), p = 0.0001.Zinc was markedly lower in Group 1 (982.80 ± 212.35 μg/l) versus Group 2 (1655.95 ± 49.49 μg/l), p = 0.0001.Ferrum (Iron) also showed a significant decrease in Group 1 (1274.80 ± 230.61 μg/l) relative to Group 2 (2208.00 ± 152.35 μg/l), p = 0.0001. In salivary analysis-Copper levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (85.92 ± 9.10 μg/l) than in Group 2 (11.97 ± 4.16 μg/l), p = 0.0001.Zinc concentrations were also elevated in Group 1 (220.28 ± 48.28 μg/l) compared to Group 2 (72.09 ± 17.49 μg/l), p = 0.0001.Ferrum was significantly reduced in Group 1 (9.09 ± 3.19 μg/l) versus Group 2 (20.30 ± 4.30 μg/l), p = 0.0001.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights a clear alteration in trace element levels in both serum and saliva among OSMF patients, supporting their potential utility in early diagnosis and disease monitoring.