Antioxidants
Serum and Plasma Zinc and Copper Levels in Oral Leukoplakia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
By Wiśniewski P, Stępniewska M, Melion P and 5 others.
Abstract
Background
Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a common oral potentially malignant disorder in which oxidative imbalance and altered trace-element homeostasis may contribute to pathogenesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated serum/plasma zinc and copper concentrations in patients with OL versus healthy controls.
Materials and methods
Following PRISMA and Cochrane recommendations (PROSPERO: CDR420261427977), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched for observational studies comparing circulating zinc and/or copper levels in OL and controls. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was pooled.