Alpha-tocopherol Levels in Predicting the Biological Behaviour of Ameloblastoma - A Comparative Study

A clear understanding of the biological nature, the importance of diagnosis and the identification of adjunct treatment options of ameloblastoma are gaining importance in their surgical planning and treatment. The anti-tumourigenic properties of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) are significant and less studied among odontogenic tumours. Hence, the present study aimed to calculate and compare the mean Vitamin E levels in ameloblastoma patients and healthy controls.

This observational case-control study included 24 participants (12 cases and 12 controls) and was conducted following institutional ethical approval. After obtaining the informed consent, blood samples were collected from the study participants. Serum Vitamin E levels were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography and expressed in mg/mL.

After the independent t-test, the mean serum Vitamin E of the case group was found to be lower (mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 5.28 ± 0.62 mg/L) when compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD = 12.08 ± 1.92 mg/L) (P ≤ 0.0001). The mean Vitamin E level of plexiform variant (5.2 mg/L) was less when compared to the follicular variant (6.02 mg/L) (P = 0.34) and plexiform ameloblastoma was more common among younger age groups (P = 0.01).

The reduced concentration of Vitamin E among ameloblastoma cases can have a potential role in the pathogenesis and aggressiveness of odontogenic tumours. Among ameloblastoma, plexiform variant showed low mean serum Vitamin E. The therapeutic action of Vitamin E should be studied in detail for better adjunctive treatment options in ameloblastoma.