Quantitative analysis of trace elements in saliva of oral cancer patients from Iraq

Background: Trace elements like iron, zinc, magnesium, cobalt and manganese are some of these elements involved in antioxidant defense mechanism. Many authors observed direct association between trace elements deficiency and the cancer mortality. The study was conducted to measure levels of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and Magnesium (Mg) in saliva of 50 patients with histologically proved squamous cell carcinoma. Patient and Method: Unstimulated (resting) saliva was collected from oral cancer patients one day before surgical excision of the tumor and one day after surgery using plastic polyethylene tubes. The collected saliva was cold centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 minutes at 0-5°C.The centrifuged supernatants were stored frozen at (-20°C) until time of analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: Saliva levels of Zn, Mn, Co and Ni were significantly higher in preoperative saliva of oral cancer patients when compared to the normal control. On the other hand, a highly significant reduction in the levels of Cu, Fe and Mg was observed in preoperative saliva of oral cancer patients. However, no significant changes were seen in saliva trace element levels when preoperative values were compared with postoperative values of same patients. Conclusion: Saliva may be employed alone for trace elements measurements or it can be used supplementary to serum test for confirmation of any finding. However, saliva has the advantage of easy collection without trauma to the patients.