Estimation of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis

• Main Authors: Savitha S Shettar, Mubeen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology
• Subjects: Oral submucous fibrosis; Trace elements; Serum zinc; Serum copper
• Online Access: http://www.jiaomr.in/article.asp?issn=0972-1363;year=2010;volume=22;issue=4;spage=193;epage=196;aulast=Shettar;type=0

Background and objectives: The present study was conducted to estimate the serum levels of zinc, copper and copper/zinc ratio in patients with OSF, compare these values among patients with OSF and normal subjects, and to correlate the values among clinical and histological grades in OSF. Methods: The study consisted of 30 OSF patients and 30 normal subjects. Diagnosis of OSF patients was based on clinical and histopathologic findings. Khanna and Andrade grouping both clinically and histopathologically were followed for OSF patients. Serum levels of zinc and copper were estimated using semiautoanalyzer and data was statistically analyzed. Results: The mean serum levels of zinc and copper were decreased in patients with OSF, compared to normal subjects. The mean serum levels of copper and Cu/Zn ratio were increased in OSF patients compared to normal subjects. The mean serum levels of zinc showed no change through clinical and histological stages of OSF. The mean serum levels of copper and Cu/Zn ratio showed a gradual increase from clinical and histological grade I to IV in OSF patients. Interpretation and conclusion: Serum levels of these trace elements may be taken as prognostic markers of the disease progression in OSF patients