# Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Markers in Post-Surgical Head and Neck Cancer Patients Rehabilitated with Removable Prosthetic Restorations

## TL;DR

This study examines oxidative stress in head and neck cancer patients using removable prostheses, finding minor effects on stress markers and a near-restored balance after three months.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel assessment of oxidative stress in cancer patients rehabilitated with removable prostheses, revealing minimal impact and adaptation over time.

## Key findings

- Oncology patients showed higher DNA/RNA damage levels compared to controls after three months of prosthetic use.
- Protein and lipid oxidation markers were slightly elevated in cancer patients but showed adaptation over time.
- Removable prostheses had a minor impact on oxidative stress parameters, suggesting a restored redox balance.

## Abstract

The effects of free radicals and chronic oxidative stress are the cause of many diseases, including those of the oral cavity, among which the most important are inflammatory processes and cancer. For this reason, an important element of the body’s defense is maintaining proper antioxidant activity. Study aim: To assess oxidative stress parameters in the saliva of patients using removable prostheses after head and neck cancer surgery. Material and methods: 44 oncological patients operated on for head and neck cancer and 20 healthy edentulous volunteers as a control group. Removable acrylic dentures were prepared for both groups. The material for oxidative stress analysis was saliva: non-stimulated saliva (NWS) and stimulated saliva (SW) after 3 months of prosthetic treatment. Results: Changes in the level of oxidative stress parameters were observed in the study group after 3 months of prosthetic treatment. Specifically, we observed a higher level of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/ribonucleic acid (RNA) damage in oncology patients compared to controls. The levels of protein oxidation products—protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrotyrosine—were slightly higher in the study group in all measurements. Conclusion: Based on this study, it was found that removable prostheses have a minor impact on the level of enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress parameters. This research suggests an adaptation to prosthetic restorations that results in almost restored redox balance.