Ranjitkumar Patil

Estimation of salivary and serum basic fibroblast growth factor in treated and untreated patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectivenThe purpose of this study was to evaluate salivary and serum basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) level in OSCC patients to provide a reliable biomarker for the early detection, monitoring, and prognosis of OSCC patients.nnnMaterials and methodsnThe study enrolled 90 subjects, equally grouped as recently diagnosed & untreated OSCC patients (Group I), treated OSCC without any recurrence (Group II) & as control (Group III). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure bFGF concentrations in saliva and serum samples of all three groups. The results were tabulated and analyzed statistically.nnnResultsnGroup I showed high-level of bFGF expression profile in saliva (8.80u202f±u202f1.26u202fpg/ml) whereas the levels of bFGF in group II (2.69u202f±u202f0.17u202fpg/ml) and Group III (3.17u202f±u202f0.43u202fpg/ml) are significantly lower than group I. Serum bFGF levels were also high in group I (6.33u202f±u202f0.81u202fpg/ml) and decreased significantly in group II (3.52u202f±u202f0.45u202fpg/ml) however, the control group showed elevated range of levels (7.63u202f±u202f0.88u202fpg/ml).nnnConclusionsnThis study demonstrates the reliability of salivary bFGF marker as diagnostic as well as prognostic marker. Serum bFGF could also be used as prognostic marker only in Oral Squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Evaluation of salivary flow rate and gustatory function in HIV-positive patients with or without highly active antiretroviral therapy

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the salivary flow rate and gustatory changes in HIV-positive patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and without HAART. We also correlated CD4 count and salivary flow rate and gustatory function in both groups. Methods: Sample size for each group was thirty. After obtaining informed consent, we measured salivary flow rate using Schimers method and gustatory function using four tastants (sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) of different concentrations. The readings were recorded at 0 month, 2nd, 4th, and 6th month interval. The data obtained was statistically analyzed. Results: The mean salivary flow rate was decreased more in Group I as compared to Group II. The mean identification score for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter was significantly higher in Group II than Group I. The mean detection threshold score for sweet, salty, sour and bitter taste was comparatively higher in Group I than Group II. The Pearsons correlation analysis showed inverse relation between age and salivary flow rate in Group II. No significant correlation was observed in CD4 count and salivary flow rate. Conclusion: Along with routine oral health appraisal in seropositive patients, evaluation of salivary flow rate, and taste abnormalities should also be considered an integral part of patient assessment.