Salivary markers of oxidative stress in patients with oral premalignant lesions

Markers of lipoperoxidation and carbonyl stress were increased in patients with oral premalignant lesions. Decreased antioxidant status potentially due to decreased expression of antioxidant enzymes might be responsible for these findings. Our results might point to the aetiology or pathogenesis of oral premalignant lesions as well as to the mechanism of transition to oral carcinoma.