Changes in Salivary Antioxidants in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review Study and Meta-Analysis

 Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the world and its global outbreak is increasing. Saliva assessment is one of the non-invasive diagnostic methods for this cancer. The aim of the study was to achieve a comprehensive conclusion about changes in salivary antioxidants in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth (OSCC).

 In the present study, as a systematic review and meta-analysis study, information extracted by searching in external databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, google scholar) and internal databases (IranMedex, Scientific Information Database, Magiran) between the years 1980 to 2020. Comprehensive meta-analysis version 2 software was used to analyze the data (P <0.05).

 Of 497 articles, 271 duplicate articles were deleted, and then, after reviewing the titles and abstracts of the articles, another 197 articles were removed. The full text of 26 articles were reviewed and evaluated. Finally, based on the STROB checklist, the data of 10 articles were entered into the meta-analysis. Salivary malondialdehyde (MDA) index levels were much higher in patients with OSCC than in healthy people (P=0.0001). All salivary antioxidant indexes (TAC) (P=0.003) and GSH glutathione (P=0.008) saliva was significantly lower in patients than in the healthy group and regarding the salivary superoxide dismutase (SOD) index was no significant.

 In general, antioxidant supplements may be able to help prevent, treat, and improve the prognosis of this disease, which requires further research in this area.