Influence of selenium on radiogenic collagen destruction and the degree of collagen tissue maturation in stage III oral squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing therapeutic irradiation.

INTRODUCTION: We set out to assess whether selenium, an antioxidant mineral could influence radiogenic collagen maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprise of normal (Group I), untreated oral carcinoma cases (Group II) (n = 20), cases who underwent radiotherapy (Group IIa) n = 10 and cases supplemented with selenium along with radiotherapy (Group IIb) n = 10. RESULTS: Spectrophotometric estimation and luminescence spectral assignment of collagen showed improved collagen maturation status. Measurement of the mature collagen cross-links hydroxylysylpyridinoline and lysylpyridinoline by high-performance liquid chromatography on irradiated tissues showed a considerable decrease in the selenium Group IIb (P < 0.05) indicating a decrease in collagen fragments. Electron microscopic studies showed significant morphological alteration in the selenium group. The micro nucleus frequency, decreased in radiation group (P < 0.05) compared with untreated (P < 0.05). While much more decrease observed in the selenium group (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The results represent the effect of selenium treatment with a bearing on carcinogenic process to curtail it, thus enhancing the maturity of collagen.