UNRAVELING ABERRANT MICROENVIRONMENT IN ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS

Abstract

Objectives:. The objective of the present study was to assess the clinical correlation with biochemical changes in serum with histological findings in the tissue and serum of oral submuous fibrosis subjects  and to explore the possibilities of blood-based biomarkers for the disease leading to oxidative stress

Methods: This study was conducted on serum and tissue sample of Oral Submucous fibrosis (OSF)  (n = 20) compared with the healthy group (n = 20). Tissues were stained with special histochemical stains for carbohydrates [Periodic acid Schiff (PAS)], Lipids [Sudan IV], Collagen [Van Gieson’s (VG Stain)] for histochemical feature analysis. The expression of glucose metabolism-related proteins glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase 2  in tissue was validated by western blot technique. A commercially available ELISA Kit quantified glucose transporter1(GLUT1)and hexokinase2(HK2) molecule in serum.

Results: Histochemical analysis by special stains supported the evidence of altered metabolic activity in tissues. Detail study of metabolic protein by western blot showed that the glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase 2 expression in oral submucous fibrosis tissues were significantly higher compared to normal. Further in serum elevated level of glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase showed that the serum expression followed a trend similar to the expression pattern observed and in tissues.

Conclusion:  Histochemical analysis showed aberrant expressions of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein in the tissue. Finally, the study reports altered expression status of glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase 2 molecule.  These intermediate molecules are precursors, as well as significant molecules of metabolic pathways which may increase oxidative damage and it can be used as a minimal invasive prognostic indicator of the disease.