Comparative Analysis of Tissue Copper Levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) Patients

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a recognized potentially malignant oral condition linked to the consumption of areca nut. Chewing areca nut has been shown to elevate soluble copper levels in mouth fluids.

Materials And Methods: Participants: The study included a panel of 30 patients with OSMF from Rama Dental College, Kanpur, India, and 30 nonareca chewing individuals serving as controls. Tissue Sample Collection and Analysis: Buccal mucosal biopsies were obtained from both OSMF patients and controls. The tissue copper concentrations were quantified using mass absorption spectrometry (MAS). Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) was employed to identify the presence and distribution of copper in the tissue.

Statistical Analysis: Statistical comparisons were performed using appropriate methods, with a value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: MAS analysis revealed that the mean tissue copper level was 6.2 ± 3.1 micrograms per gram (μg/g) in OSMF specimens ( = 30), slightly higher than the 4.5 ± 2.0 μg/g in the nonareca chewing controls ( = 30) ( = 0.1). EDX analysis showed distinct copper peaks in both the epithelium (22/23) and connective tissue (18/23) of OSMF specimens compared to control biopsies. These findings were corroborated by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in a subset of samples.

Conclusion: The study revealed higher copper concentrations in buccal mucosal tissue of OSMF patients from Rama Dental College, Kanpur, suggesting a potential connection between copper and the initiation of OSMF.