A biochemical research focused on the association of the levels of oxidative stress and nitric oxide with premalignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Context: The reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radicals (O2 *), hydroxyl radicals (OH*), and hydrogen peroxide play a vital role in the pathogenesis of human cancer development and have become one of the areas of key interest in the field of biochemical analysis. Aims: The present study was designed to determine the significance of oxidative stress and levels of nitric oxide (NO) in patients with premalignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), by evaluating the levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants, and NO products. Settings and Design: The present study was conducted on 280 patients for 2 years. These patients were divided into 4 groups, Group I (n = 70, control), Group II (n = 70, oral submucous fibrosis), Group III (n = 70, OSCC), and Group IV (n = 70, OL). Subjects and Methods: The levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants, and NO products were determined by colorimetric methods. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test was used to compare the mean. Results: Lipid peroxidation products such as lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde and NO products such as nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), and total nitrite (TNO2-) were significantly elevated, whereas enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants were significantly lowered in OSCC, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral leukoplakia when compared to normal healthy participants. The P values were calculated and came as statistically significant (