COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SALIVARY ALPHA ENOLASE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is presently recognized as a potentially malignant disorder (PMD), with the
likelihood of developing to oral squamous cell carcinoma ranging between 7 to 30%. Alpha-enolase, a lysosomal
enzyme essential to glucose metabolism, is associated in disrupted energy production during carcinogenesis, guiding
uncontrolled cell proliferation in numerous cancers. Identifying the connection between OSMF and salivary alphaenolase could offer a helpful means for early diagnosis of malignancy, establishing the path for its application as a
biomarker in both diagnosis and treatment. This study seeks to investigate and assess the salivary alpha-enolase
levels in OSMF patients to healthy controls, proposing to find possible variations that might contribute to an early
diagnostic breakthrough.
Material and methods: Saliva samples were taken from 20 participants in each group (OSMF sufferers and healthy
controls). Salivary alpha-enolase levels were identified using the sensitive and precise enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis were carried out using the Independent Sample t-test to establish
significance.
Results: The results indicated that salivary alpha-enolase levels in OSMF patients were significantly higher in
comparison to those in healthy people.
Conclusion: Salivary alpha-enolase could become a reliable biomarker for early OSF identification, thereby
offering an opportunity for timely intervention, more efficient treatment planning, and improved outcomes for
patients.