To evaluate the role of lactate dehydrogenase as biomarker in the progression of potentially malignant disorders in smokers and gutkha chewers

AIM: To evaluate the role of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a biomarker in the progression of potentially malignant disorders in smokers and gutkha chewers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The total of 70 individuals having the habit of chewing gutkha and smoking were selected for the study and divided into four groups. Group 1: 20 individuals having the habit of smoking, Group 2: 20 individuals having the habit of chewing gutkha, Group 3: 20 individuals having the habit of smoking and gutkha chewing, and Group 4: 10 healthy individuals. RESULTS: In the present study showed that unstimulated whole saliva from group 1, group 2, and group 3 individuals, there was a significant decrease in isoenzymes LDH-1 and LDH-2 and there was no effect on LDH-3 isoenzyme. In the present study, there is a significant increase in salivary isoenzyme LDH-4. The result indicated that there is an effect of carcinogen (tobacco)–enhanced activity on salivary LDH. The present study showed 70 volunteers reported a statistical significant correlation among the groups. The individuals with habit of smoking and gutkha chewing showed P value <.001 with a significant increase in the isoenzyme LDH-4. A significant increase in the buccal micronuclei of exfoliated cells in the oral mucosal cells of smokers and gutkha chewers. This shows a positive relationship between LDH isoenzymes and the individuals with the smoking and chewing of tobacco. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between the levels of salivary LDH isoenzymes and cytomorphometric analysis of oral epithelium in smokers and gutkha chewers.