Lipid profile in oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma - A prognostic view

Lipids play an important role in the maintenance of cell integrity. Various tobacco-associated products are known to induce the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, responsible for the high rate of oxidation/peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These further release peroxide radicals, causing increased utilization of lipids leading to hypolipidemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the lipid profile pattern of patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with healthy controls.

The study included 90 subjects with 30 OPMDs, 30 OSCC and 30 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were collected from subjects and were analysed for serum lipids, including the following: i) Total cholesterol (TC) ii) High-density lipoproteins (HDL) iii) Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) iv) Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) v) Triglycerides (TG) vi) CHO/HDL ratio by using semi auto analyser.

The statistical tests used were the independent t-test, ANOVA test. A P value of <0.05 and <0.01 was considered statistically significant.

A statistically significant decrease in serum TC, LDL and CHO/HDL ratio was observed among OPMD and OSCC groups than controls, whereas a significant decrease in serum VLDL and TG (p value <0.01) in poorly differentiated OSCC was seen.

The study shows an association between lipid variations and OPMD and OSCC. Low levels of lipids could be due to the rapidly dividing cells in premalignancies and malignancies utilizing them for new membrane biogenesis. Thus, lower lipid status may be a useful indicator for initial changes happening in neoplastic cells.