Iranian Journal of Pathology

Evaluation of Salivary and Serum Total Carbohydrate Levels in Oral Precancerous Disorders and Oral Cancer: A Novel Approach

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Hassan Mohtesham 1
Vishnudas Prabhu 1
Vinitha Ramanath Pai 2
Maji Jose 1
Jyothi Dsouza 2
Sindu Harish 2

1 Department of Oral Pathology, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, India

2 Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, India

10.30699/ijp.2025.2039390.3345
Abstract
Background & Objective: Enhanced glucose uptake creates a hyperglycaemic environment that contributes to the oral carcinogenetic cascade but has received less attention and has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess the levels of free and bound carbohydrates in saliva and serum among healthy individuals, subjects with potentially malignant disorders, and oral cancer/oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 90 subjects randomly selected based on clinical and histological criteria and allocated into three groups: Group 1, healthy individuals (n = 30); Group 2, potentially malignant disorders (n = 30); and Group 3, OSCC cases (n = 30). Saliva and serum samples were collected and subjected to biochemical analysis for carbohydrate level estimation. Descriptive statistics and the Mann–Whitney test were applied to assess differences between independent groups.
Results: Mean salivary-bound total carbohydrate levels were 12.06 mg/dL, 37.67 mg/dL, and 65.45 mg/dL for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mean serum-bound total carbohydrate levels were 30.39 mg/dL, 68.28 mg/dL, and 88.33 mg/dL for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mean salivary-free total carbohydrate levels were 25.58 mg/dL (Group 1), 24.28 mg/dL (Group 2), and 53.13 mg/dL (Group 3), while mean serum-free total carbohydrate levels were 62.39 mg/dL, 74.01 mg/dL, and 193.68 mg/dL for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A highly significant increase was observed (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: A substantial increase in serum and salivary total carbohydrate levels, particularly in bound forms, was observed across the three groups, highlighting the potential utility of carbohydrate levels as biomarkers for disease progression in oral cancer.

Keywords

Saliva
Serum
Hyperglycaemia
Oral Cancer
OPMDs
OSCC
Biomarkers
Glycosylation

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Pathology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 February 2026

  • Receive Date 11 September 2024
  • Revise Date 23 June 2025
  • Accept Date 15 January 2026

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