Role of salivary vitamin c in oral malignant and potentially malignant disorders

Oral cancer is reported as the sixth most frequent malignant neoplasm in the world. Among all malignancies 25% are found in the oral cavity. Early diagnosis of malignant and potentially malignant disorders may help in reducing mortality. Clinical efforts in cancer therapeutics were concentrated mainly on invasive cancer. Such an approach has limited effect. A refocus on carcinogenesis is important with prime aim for cancer prevention. Plasma concentrations of ascorbate have been shown to be inversely associated with risk for developing cancer. The objective of study was to estimate and correlate the salivary levels of vitamin C in oral malignant and potentially malignant disorders. 20 subjects with oral cancer and 20 subjects with potentially malignant disorders were selected and salivary levels of vitamin C were compared with controls. 1ml of whole saliva was collected from each subject. The samples were collected in micro centrifuging tube and were frozen at less than minus 200C. The samples were analyzed in a spectrophotometer for vitamin C levels. It is observed that salivary levels of vitamin C were very much reduced in oral malignant and potentially malignant disorders when compared to control (p<0.001). In the control group salivary vitamin C levels were maintained in all the age groups. Low levels of vitamin C causes increased cell damage. There is an inverse association of vitamin C and development oral cancer. Thus this study suggests that Vitamin C may have a strong association in inhibiting initiation and promotion of oral cancer.