Serum lipid profile in oral submucous fibrosis: A clinico pathological study

Lipids play a key role in the maintenance of cell integrity. These are major cell membrane components essential for various biological functions, including cell growth and division of normal and malignant tissues. Abnormal changes have long been associated with alterations in lipid profile.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in lipid profile in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients and to compare the levels with respect to the clinical staging and histological grading.

Fifty patients of OSMF, diagnosed clinically and histopathologically, were included as the study subjects. A group of 50 age and sex matched normal subjects without any oral pernicious habits were taken as controls. The serum lipid profile consisting of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were analyzed using Erba Chem-5 Plus Analyzer.

Serum TC, HDL and LDL levels were significantly decreased in OSMF patients as compared to controls. As the clinical stage progresses, the TC and HDL levels were gradually reduced. All the lipid profile parameters such as TC, TG, HDL, VLDL and LDL progressively reduced as the histological grade advanced.

The results of the present study showed that there is an inverse relationship between lipid profile and the presence of OSMF. The decreased serum lipid profile may be considered as a useful indicator for initial changes occurring in the cells of potentially malignant disorders like OSMF.