Estimation of Salivary Matrix Metalloproteinases- 12 (MMP- 12) Levels Among Patients Presenting With Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background:Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a global threat and accounts for approximately 90% of malignant oral lesions. The emergence of oral carcinoma is linked to precancerous lesions which act as precursors of the disease. Matrix metalloproteinases appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of both precancerous conditions and oral malignancies due to their participation in the remodelling of the extracellular matrix.Methodology:This is an analytical study conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from healthy, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The level of MMP-12 was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run to determine if MMP-12 levels differ between cases and controls which was preceded by posthoc Tuckey test.ResultsA significant difference in salivary MMP-12 expression was observed in OSF and OSCC. The expression of salivary MMP-12 was higher in cases compared to controls. The mean MMP-12 expression in OSCC was found higher than in OSF cases.ConclusionMMP-12 expression increases as the healthy patient advances to OSF and OSCC. The study results also demonstrate higher MMP-12 expression in OSCC patients as compared to OSF. Therefore, estimation of salivary MMP-12 serves as a useful non-invasive early diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Salivary Profile in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Scoping Review

“…A statistically significant rise in MMP-12 expression was observed in OSMF and OSCC groups compared with healthy individuals. 32 Lipid levels in saliva can be an alternative to serum lipid levels in identifying OSMF. A study suggested a strong relationship between salivary and serum lipid levels.…”