Differential expression of salivary S100A7 in oral submucous fibrosis.

AIM: To investigate the expression of salivary S100A7 levels among patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and healthy controls.

METHOD: A total number of 60 participants were included in the study (30 OSF cases and 30 healthy controls). Demographic data was collected using a structured baseline questionnaire. Salivary S100A7 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analyzed using Student t-test. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate correlation between S100A7 levels and independent variables such as frequency and duration of areca nut use, gutka use, and mouth opening.

RESULTS

The mean value of salivary S100A7 for OSF group was 0.275 ng/ml, whereas mean value of salivary S100A7 for healthy controls was 0.195 ng/ml. Student t-test indicated that there was statistically significantly higher levels of S100A7 in OSF group as compared to healthy controls (p < .001). When the clinical variables of individual groups were analysed, a significant negative correlation was found between salivary S100A7 and duration of areca nut (p = .009) and gutka chewing (p = .03), whereas a significant positive correlation was found for mouth opening (p = .04).

CONCLUSION

OSF presented higher levels of salivary S100A7 levels as compared with healthy individuals and may be used as surrogate measure to identify subjects at risk for OSF.