Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: COWAN and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 50
Abstract
COWAN and colleagues, School of Dentistry, The Queens University of Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital, Northern Ireland write that although the antioxidant status of a person is thought to be important in the development of potentially malignant oral lesions (PMDL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), little information regarding mucosal antioxidant status is known in the UK. The relationship between smoking and mucosal antioxidant status has not yet been established. The authors studied 60 people, in order to establish data regarding these questions.
Background
Methodology
60 individuals participated in this study, all of whom had an oral mucosal biopsy and simultaneous venous blood sampling. Antioxidant levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (hplc).
Results
Compared with non-smokers (n=41), smokers (n=19) had significantly lower levels of plasma beta-carotene and significantly lower levels of tissue alpha-carotene. Tissue alpha-carotene correlated with plasma levels; however this was not the case with alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), retinol (vitamin A), lycopene or beta-carotene.
Conclusion
These results are the first data regarding oral mucosal antioxidant levels and provide baseline data from which to study patients with potentially malignant oral lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma.
References
Cowan CG et al. Antioxidant status of oral mucosal tissue and plasma levels in smokers and non-smokers. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 28(8): 360-3. Sep 1999.
