Estimation of serum beta carotene levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis in India.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious and disabling condition affecting the oral cavity, being especially prevalent in India and South East Asia. However, considering its high prevalence and potential to undergo malignant transformation, OSMF has not been widely investigated with respect to levels of antioxidants, especially beta carotene. In the present study, an attempt was made to analyze serum levels of beta carotene in 45 patients with oral submucous fibrosis and 45 age- and sex-matched controls. The serum beta carotene level was estimated using the Bradley and Hornbeck method. The serum beta carotene level was significantly lower in the patients with oral submucous fibrosis than in the controls. When the values were compared between different disease stages, the maximum reduction of beta carotene was evident for Grade III OSMF, as compared with Grade I and II. From the present results, it is evident that beta carotene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OSMF, and that its level decreases with disease progression. OSMF patients should be treated with a diet rich in beta carotene to reduce disease severity and progression towards malignancy.