Elevated tissue nitric oxide in oral squamous cell carcinoma

CONTEXT: Nitric oxide (NO) is a diatomic molecule that has been implicated in tumor progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the mechanism of NO affecting tumor growth and progression remains unknown. Tumor progression has been recently received considerable attention, and there is increasing evidence of correlation of tumor biology and behavior. AIMS: We aim to evaluate tissue NO of OSCC patients and correlate these findings with grade and stage of the OSCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To count tissue nitric oxide in normal and OSCC cases. To compare the findings of tissue nitric oxide between normal and OSCC cases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two fresh tissue specimens from the excisional biopsy of OSCC patients and 42 tissue samples of normal healthy mucosa using ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using Student's unpaired t-test and Tukey's post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Tissue NO level was higher in OSCC compared with control group (P < 0.01). There was an increase in NO levels with advanced clinical staging and with decreased differentiation of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Increased tissue NO levels in OSCC patients along with an increase in the clinical stage of the tumor and decreased differentiation of tumor indicates the association of NO with tumor growth and with staging and grading of is well recognized.