Studies on antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a chronic disease affecting any part of the oral cavity, occurs almost exclusively in Indians and Southeast Asians. Se veral histological and epidemiological studies have been conducted on this condition but its biochemical aspects have not yet been thoroughly explored . Production of oxygen free radicals and superoxides has been implicated in carcinogenesis and premalignant transformation. Antioxidants, in turn, hav e been shown to inhibit both the initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis and counteract malignant transformation. Since all OSMF patients are habit ual chewers of betelnut and betelnut produce reactive oxygen species, it wa s thought essential to analyse the antioxidant status of these patients. Th e plasma levels of total glutathione and vitamins A, C, and E were signific antly lower in OSMF patients and betelnut chewers without OSMF as compared with controls. Activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase declined significantly and t hose of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione transferase incre ased significantly in the advanced stages of the disease. Med Sci Res 27:17 1-175 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.