Predictive Role of Total and Lipid Bound Sialic Acid in Oral Precancerous Condition

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of total sialic acid (TSA) and lipid bound sialic acid (LBSA) as the early predictors / indicators of oral cancer and precancerous in study subjects.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, in collaboration with the clinical oncology ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from June 2019 to December 2019. Participants were categorized into three groups: oral cancer (Group A), oral precancer (Group B), and healthy controls (Group C). Blood samples (8 ml) were collected for biochemical analysis of TSA and LBSA levels. Serum proteins were measured using the Biuret reaction method, while TSA and LBSA were quantified via a colorimetric method involving sialic acid's reaction with resorcinol, producing a pink chromosphere measured at 580 nm using a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results: In the Pre-cancer group, TSA levels were significantly higher (78.7 ± 16.62 mg/dl) compared to the Control group (60.2 ± 4.27 mg/dl), (p-0.001). Similarly, LBSA levels were also elevated in the Pre-cancer group (22.7 ± 2.06 mg/dl) compared to Controls (19.8 ± 3.18 mg/dl), (p-0.001). The TP levels were markedly higher in the Pre-cancer group (11.3 ± 2.37 g/dl) compared to the Control group (6.2 ± 0.61 g/dl), (p-0.001). Conversely, the TSA/TP ratio was lower in the Pre-cancer group (7.4 ± 2.72) compared to Controls (9.6 ± 1.26), (p- 0.001).

Conclusion: The TSA and LBSA levels were observed significantly elevated in the pre-cancer group, while the TSA/TP ratio was notably lower and the findings indicating that the TSA and LBSA may serve as potential biomarkers for the early detection of oral pre-cancerous conditions, highlighting their predictive role in the progression towards oral cancer.