Estimation of Total and Lipid Bound Sialic acid in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Abstract

Tumour markers are biochemical substances released through tumour cells. They are considered as the rationale or consequence of the carcinogenesis process. Neoplasms often have an increased concentration of sialic acid on the tumour cell surface and are shed or secreted by some of these cells, which increase the concentration in blood. To determine serum levels of total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (LBSA), in patients of oral Leukoplakia (LP) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The study comprises 75 subjects which include 25 cases of LP, 25 cases of OSCC and 25 cases of healthy individuals as control. 10 ml intravenous blood was collected under aseptic condition, and biochemical analysis of total sialic acid and lipid-bound sialic acid was carried out by spectrophotometer. We observed levels of TSA and LBSA significantly increased in LP and OSCC as compared to a healthy control group. The increased level of TSA and LBSA in LP helps to determine the early stage of the disease. Further differentiation in grades of OSCC is also possible by these biochemical markers. Thus serum levels of TAS, LBSA can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers.