Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco, a harmful, addictive chemical is responsible for occurrence of oral cancer by triggering inflammation and lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study is to explore if there exists any difference in serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as leptin, adiponectin, and lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and also its correlation with oxidative stress in cases of tobacco-induced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as compared with tobacco users having no lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enrolled participants in this study included a total of 84 subjects (all males and 28 in each group) inclusive of healthy individuals, tobacco users with no lesion, and oral cancer cases. Serum leptin, adiponectin, and MDA levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in all subjects. RESULTS: A significant reduction in serum leptin and adiponectin levels in patients with OSCC was observed when compared with tobacco users with no lesions and healthy persons (control). For serum MDA, findings were comparable in control and tobacco consumers with no lesions groups but significantly higher in OSCC cases. The correlation between serum adiponectin, leptin, and MDA levels with body mass index (BMI) was highly significant. In addition, comparison of BMI with serum markers and histopathological grades of OSCC showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: These present study observations suggest that reduced adiponectin and leptin and elevated serum MDA could serve as valuable markers for both preventive and clinical intervention, and may deserve further investigation for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of OSCC.