Ayla Bahramian - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Fatemeh Dabaghi Tabriz - Department of Restorative Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Katayoun Katebi - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Vahid Jafarlou - Oncology Surgeon, Tabriz, Iran
Rosa Motayagheni - Department of Prosthodontics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Aydin Joudi - Department of Community Oral Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background: No factor alone has been defined as the cause of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Identification of biochemical markers involved in SCC metabolic reactions is important in SCC diagnosis. Homocysteine is an amino acid whose altered levels have been observed in various malignancies. This study aimed to assess the serum and salivary levels of homocysteine in patients with SCC and compare these data with those of healthy individuals.Methods: In this case-control analytical study, ۲۱ patients with oral SCC and ۲۱ healthy subjects were studied. Salivary and serum samples were obtained, and homocysteine levels were evaluated with an HCY ELISA Kit. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS ۱۷. A P value < ۰. ۰۵ was considered significant.Results: The level of serum homocysteine was ۳.۷۱ ± ۲.۵ in the patient group and ۲.۰۱ ± ۲.۱۱ in the control group (P = ۰.۰۰۸). The salivary homocysteine levels were ۳.۱۲ ± ۱.۶۶ in the case group and ۲.۹۳ ± ۱.۷۱ in control group (P = ۰.۷۸۲).Conclusion: Homocysteine levels in the serum might be a good marker for diagnosis of oral SCC; however, more research is needed on using salivary homocysteine levels as a diagnostic indicator.

homocysteine, Saliva, Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, Biomarkers, Tumor