A correlative study of copper, iron, zinc and haematological parameters in oral cancer patients

Background: Alteration in levels of copper, iron and zinc variate the enzymatic actions in our body and thereby play a major role in etiopathogenesis of oral carcinogenesis. Aim of the study: The present study was mainly aimed to estimate, compare and correlate the serum levels of copper, iron and zinc with haematological parameters in oral cancer patients in comparison to normal controls. Methods: The collected serum of cases and controls were analyzed by using standard spectrophotometric methods in spectrophotometer analyzer and the data obtained was analysed and represented as Mean ± SD, mean difference was analyzed by Student’s T-test and Chi- square test for significance and strength of association by Karl Pearson’s correlation using SPSSv23 software. Results: Mean serum level of iron was significantly lower and the levels of zinc and copper in patients with oral cancerous lesions were significantly higher than that of healthy individuals. Pearson’s r data analysis, revealed a significant negative correlation between iron with platelets, and MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration). A significant positive correlation was seen between iron with haemoglobin and lymphocytes; between copper with leucocytes. Conclusions: The serum levels of zinc and copper in group I were significantly higher when compared to controls. There was a significant lower serum level of iron in Group-I when compared to controls. A significant correlation was seen in between serum trace elements and haematological parameters in oral cancer. This suggests the involvement of trace elements in variations of haematological parameters in the pathogenesis of oral carcinogenesis.

Role of reduced thyroid hormone status on bone mineral metabolism

Background: The most common endocrine disorder is hypothyroidism which accounts to 11%. Thyroid hormones have a wide array of functions such as physiological growth and development of skeletal system, maintenance of basal metabolic rate and regulation of various metabolisms, including mineral metabolism. Nowadays due to its direct action on bone turn over, thyroid hormones are considered to have an important role on bone mineral metabolism. Thyroid disorders are important cause for secondary osteoporosis. So the present study was done to know the levels of bone minerals, calcium and phosphorus in hypothyroidism and its relation with thyroid hormone levels. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 30 hypothyroid patients and 30 euthyroid healthy controls in the age group of 20-60 years. Blood samples were collected from all the study population. Serum total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine and TSH by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Serum calcium by Arsenazo III method, phosphorous by ammonium molybdate method were estimated. Results: Serum calcium levels in cases was found to significantly reduced when compared to controls (p<0.001). Serum phosphorous levels also showed considerable elevation in cases when compared to controls (p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between TSH and serum calcium in cases. Conclusion: The present study indicated the important role of reduced thyroid hormone status on bone mineral metabolism. This study concludes that serum calcium was significantly reduced and phosphorus levels were significantly increased in hypothyroid patients when compared to euthyroid control subjects. So frequent monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus in hypothyroid patients would reduce the burden of bone pathologies.

Influence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism on serum nitric oxide level among healthy south-Indian population

Background: Nitric oxide (endothelium derived relaxing factor) is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases. Endothelial NOS is responsible for most of the nitric oxide produced under physiological conditions. Acting via cGMP NO cause smooth muscle relaxation, prevents platelet aggregation and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent thereby playing a vital role in regulating vascular tone. Various studies have postulated the role of Nitricoxide in vascular disorders like hypertension and atherosclerosis. This study is aimed to find out the influence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism on Serum nitric oxide level among healthy South-Indian Population. Genotype analysis was done on 282 randomly selected healthy individuals by polymerase chain reaction. Phenotype analysis of eNOS activity was done by measuring serum NOx level. Significantly lower eNOS activity (10.5 versus 18.3, P value is < 0.00001) among ‘a’ alleles when compared to ‘b’ alleles. We have found the presence of eNOS ‘a’ allele is found to decrease serum NOx level. As the distribution of ‘a’allele is lower among the population, a larger study is needed to find the role of eNOS intron4 gene in maintaining serum Nitric oxide level.