Estimation of Salivary Lactate Dehydrogenase in Cases with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in South Asia. Altered tumor metabolism and cellular necrosis result in increased release of intracellular enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Saliva offers a practical, non-invasive medium for detecting such biochemical changes. Objective: To estimate salivary lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients with histopathologically confirmed OSCC and evaluate statistical significance of enzyme elevation. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dhaka Dental College & Hospital from January to December 2018. Thirty newly diagnosed, untreated OSCC patients were included. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected under standardized conditions. LDH activity was determined using a kinetic spectrophotometric enzymatic assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean salivary LDH level among OSCC patients was 1449.17 U/L (SD: 774.8 U/L). The elevation in LDH levels was found to be statistically highly significant (p = 0.00001). Conclusion: Salivary LDH levels are markedly elevated in OSCC patients and demonstrate strong statistical significance. Salivary LDH may serve as a promising adjunctive biomarker reflecting tumor-associated metabolic activity and cellular injury.

Journal of Dentistry and Allied Science, Vol. 9 No 1: 37-41