Evaluation of salivary protein patterns among a rural population exposed and non-exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water in areas of Tucumán (Argentina): a pilot study

Arsenic contamination in the environment and groundwater is a major global public health problem. Several researchers suggest that the toxicity of arsenic could be related to oral cancer development, usually resulting from potentially malignant lesions. During pathological processes, salivary proteins suffer modifications, which could lead to the discovery of new biomarkers. Objective: To analyze the protein profile in human saliva samples from a rural population exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water and its association with potentially malignant lesions. Methodology: This observational, analytic and cross-sectional design included 121 patients from the state of Graneros (Tucumán, Argentina). Arsenic concentration in drinking water was determined and, according to the values obtained, individuals were divided into 2 groups: exposed group and non-exposed group. Saliva samples were obtained, and total protein concentration was measured by Bradford method. Finally, Laemmli SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was conducted to obtain the protein profile. Results: Total protein concentration in saliva was lower in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. Average areas of 20 and 42 KDa bands were significantly lower in exposed group than non-exposed group. Conclusion: Chronic intake of high arsenic concentrations in drinking water produces changes in the salivary protein profile, which is associated with the presence of potentially malignant lesions

MELANOMA MALIGNO EN CAVIDAD BUCAL EN UNA MUJER DE TUCUMÁN (ARGENTINA)

El melanoma es un cáncer de origen melanocítico extremadamente raro, de pronóstico grave con una pobre sobrevida a los cinco años. El objetivo del presente trabajo es comunicar un caso clínico de melanoma de la cavidad bucal correspondiente a una mujer de 75 años de edad, en la cuál se estudiaron los niveles séricos de las enzimas lisosomales, Fosfatasa Ácida (FA), Hexosaminidasa (Hex), Beta Galactosidasa ( -Gal) y el Antígeno Carcinoembrionario (CEA). El tratamiento efectuado fue quirúrgico completándose el mismo con quimio e inmunoterapia, falleciendo la paciente a los doce meses del diagnóstico. El dosaje de las enzimas lisosomales séricas al momento del diagnóstico mostraban un valor superior al valor máximo normal, por lo que investigaciones posteriores podrían validar el dosaje de estas enzimas como método complementario para el diagnóstico de esta patología. La identificación de lesiones precursoras del melanoma maligno y la determinación de marcadores tumorales séricos junto a la aplicación de terapias locales y sistémicas mas efectivas podrían contribuir a mejorar la sobrevida de estos pacientes.SUMMARYThe melanoma is a melanocytic start cancer extremely strange, of serious forecast with a poor survive at five year. The aim of the present work is communicate a clinical case of mouth cavity melanoma belonging to a 75-year-old woman, in which were studied lysosomal enzymes levels, Acid Fosfatase (FA), Hexosaminidase (Hex), B-Galactosidasa (B-Gal) and the Carcinoembrionic Antigen (CEA). The treatment carried out was surgical and being completed with quimio and immunotherapy, dying twelve months latter the patient. The seric lysosomal enzymes at the moment of diagnostic showed a value over the normal one, for what this study suggested may be used as complementary method of diagnosis to this pathology. The precursor injuries identification of malignant melanoma and seric determination of tumour scoreboards with the application of local and systemic therapies more effective might help to provide better survive to these patients