Vitamin E Supplementation,Superoxide Dismutase Status,and Outcome of Scaling and Root Planing in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: This study investigates the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). In addition, the outcome of scaling and root planing (SRP) with and without vitamin E supplementation is evaluated in terms of changes in periodontal parameters and SOD activity in patients with CP. Methods: Serum and salivary SOD activity in 38 patients with CP were compared with those of 22 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (control group). At periodontal examination, serum and saliva samples were obtained. Patients with CP were randomly divided into treatment groups 1 (TG‐1) and 2 (TG‐2). SRP was performed for both groups, and TG‐2 also received 200 mg (300 IU) vitamin E every other day. Periodontal parameters and SOD activity were evaluated after 3 months. SOD activity was determined using an SOD assay and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay reader at 450 nm. Results: SOD activity in both serum (P <0.05) and saliva (P <0.001) was lower in patients with CP compared with controls. After 3 months of follow‐up, SOD activity improved in both treatment groups; however, the improvement in TG‐2 was higher than in TG‐1, along with more improvement in periodontal parameters. Serum SOD levels in TG‐2 increased even above the level of the control group. Conclusions: Systemic and local SOD levels are lowered in CP. Adjunctive vitamin E supplementation improves periodontal healing as well as antioxidant defense.     

Evaluation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and biomarkers of oxidative stress in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia: a pilot study

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate total antioxidant capacity as well as levels of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and oxidative stress markers in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral leukoplakia (OL).

Material and methods: Twenty patients with OSCC, 20 patients with OL and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled into this prospective study. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as levels of total glutathione (tGSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, uric acid (UA), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in saliva using appropriate biochemical methods.

Results: The activity of SOD was significantly higher in OSCC group in comparison with OL and control groups. The levels of GSH were markedly lower in OSCC and OL patients as compared to the control group. Likewise, we found that GSH/GSSG ratio was markedly lower in the OSCC and OL groups. Levels of some biomarkers were influenced by clinical staging of OSCC and OL as well as by sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggest that salivary activity of SOD is higher in OSCC patients, whereas levels of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio are lower in saliva of patients with OSCC and OL. Clinical staging of OSCC and OL, as well as some sociodemographic factors may also influence salivary antioxidant status.     

Oxidative stress and myeloperoxidase levels in saliva of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral ulcerative condition affecting 5–25% of the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress parameters in saliva of patients with RAS and to investigate the relationship among these parameters in either group. Materials and Methods: The study involved 50 patients with RAS of whom 24 were male and 26 were female, and 25 healthy controls of whom 13 were male and 12 were female. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the salivary total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index levels, and myeloperoxidase activity between patients with RAS and those in the control group. Conclusions: The results show that reactive oxygen species may not play a role in the etiology of RAS.     

Comparison of antioxidant enzymes activity and the concentration of uric acid in the saliva of patients with oral cavity cancer,odontogenic cysts and healthy subjects

J Oral Pathol Med (2011) 40 : 726–730 Chronic inflammation is related to oxidative stress and is still believed to be the cause of carcinogenesis. Patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC) exhibited lower total antioxidant capacity, uric acid (UA) concentration, salivary peroxidise (SPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in their saliva than did healthy subjects. This could be a risk factor for tumour induction. Odontogenic cysts also arise in response to locally acting proinflammatory factors, for example, a gangrenous tooth. Furthermore, cyst development is accompanied by chronic inflammation. There are some reports in the literature concerning primary tumours such as squamous cell carcinomas arising from odontogenic cysts. The reason for this transformation is still unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the status of the antioxidant defence system in the saliva of the group with odontogenic cysts and OCC with that of the healthy control. Saliva samples were collected in the morning. SOD, SPO activity and UA concentration were determined using standard methods. Patients with odontogenic cysts and OCC exhibited lower activity of major antioxidants in their saliva (SPO, UA) than did healthy people. SOD activity and age are the main factors that distinguish these diseases. Discriminant function analysis showed that once data such as antioxidant status of saliva, age and smoking status are known 80% cases can be correctly classified as healthy, 80% as having odontogenic cysts and 40% as cancerous. To conclude, the decrease in concentrations of major antioxidants in the saliva of patients with cysts may increase the risk of neoplastic transformation especially in advanced age.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Malondialdehyde Levels in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of diabetes, a known risk factor for periodontitis, on activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) as well as levels of free radical damage marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood and saliva of individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: Sixty patients with CP (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [DMCP] and 30 systemically healthy patients [CP]) and 60 periodontally healthy individuals (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 systemically healthy patients [PH]) were included in this study. After clinical measurements, blood and saliva samples were collected. SOD, GR, and CAT activities in red blood cell lysate and saliva and MDA levels in plasma and saliva samples were spectrophotometrically assayed. An analysis of variance test followed by a post hoc test was used to compare the intragroup and intergroup variances among the study groups. Results: MDA levels in both the periodontitis groups were higher than in the periodontally healthy groups, but the difference between the CP and DMCP groups did not reach statistical significance (P >0.05). There was a highly significant difference between the CP and PH groups for all the enzymes studied except for SOD in blood. Only salivary SOD and GR activities were significantly different in the CP and DMCP groups. Conclusions: This study favors the role of oxidative stress in both diabetes and periodontitis. It shows that the compensatory mechanism of the body is partially collapsed because of excessive production of free radicals during periodontitis and is not able to cope with increased free radical generation attributable to diabetes, thereby worsening the situation.     

Oxidative stress indices in COPD--Broncho-alveolar lavage and salivary analysis

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), though this role has yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate this role as concomitantly expressed in the saliva and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL/'lavage'). DESIGN: Forty consenting patients (mean age 62+/-13-year-old), with/without COPD and/or smoking habit, participated in the study. The following antioxidant profile was examined both in saliva and lavage of the patients: total antioxidant status (TAS), uric acid (UA), peroxidase and super oxide dismutase (SOD). Total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) were also evaluated in both saliva and lavage while amylase was measured only in saliva. RESULTS: Increase of TAS (by 100%) and of SOD activity levels (by 60%) in the lavage of COPD patients indicated oxidative stress. The salivary UA in COPD patients was 125% higher (p = 0.05) while the peroxidase was 20% higher. Another novel finding was that levels of salivary antioxidants in smoking versus non-smoking COPD patients were lower by 25-48% (for all four: TAS, UA, peroxidase and SOD) while the albumin was significantly reduced by 60% (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Oxidative-stress-related changes demonstrated both in the lavage and saliva of the COPD and/or smoking patient indicate cumulative effects of both, also emphasizing the pathogenetic role of free radicals in COPD. Salivary analysis, which is less invasive and much easier to perform as compared with lavage analysis, is suggested as a new and effective diagnostic tool in COPD patients.     

Parameters of oxidative stress in saliva from diabetic and parenteral drug addict patients

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress constitutes the basis for many diseases and it may account for the severity of systemic and oral disease complications. The aim of this study was to assess whether saliva may be used to detect the body's oxidative stress level. METHODS: Oxidative stress was determined in saliva from 14 diabetic patients and 10 heroin addicts; two different pathologic conditions related to free radical damage, and 21 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GRd) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels were analyzed in the saliva of all individuals. Other variables including salivary volume and the oral status were also analyzed. RESULTS: Diabetic patients had GPx and GRd activities of 39.98 +/- 1.61 and 6.19 +/- 0.61 nmol/min/mg prot, respectively. These values were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those obtained in control saliva (27.51 +/- 0.86 and 3.44 +/- 0.25 nmol/min/mg prot, respectively). Drug addicts showed significantly (P < 0.001) lower salivary GPx and GRd activities than controls. Both group of patients had significantly lower levels of GSH and higher of GSSG than controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels in saliva from two different pathologic situations as those here studied suggest that this biologic fluid may be suitable for determining the prognosis and evolution of these diseases and its oral manifestations.     

Salivary cortisol determination in patients from the Basque Country with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A pilot study

Objectives: Stress and anxiety are controversial factors involved in the complex pathogenesis of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS). The determination of salivary cortisol is a useful, simple and safe test to detect states of high stress or anxiety. The aim of this study is to check for changes in salivary cortisol levels in patients with RAS during periods of active disease. Study design: A measurement of cortisol employing Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was carried out in samples of unstimulated saliva from 20 patients with active lesions of RAS and 10 healthy individuals used as controls. Results: Increased levels of salivary cortisol were detected in 3 cases, all of them within the group of patients with RAS. In none of the control group patients the level of salivary cortisol was increased. The mean level of salivary cortisol was 0.64 mg / dl (range 0.2 to 1.62) for patients with RAS and 0.57 mg / dl (range 0.25 to 1.09) for controls. Conclusion: Salivary cortisol levels are not statistically higher in patients with active lesions of RAS. Key words:Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, cortisol, oral ulcers, canker sores, salivary cortisol.     

Increased activity of the antioxidants systems modulate the oxidative stress in saliva of toddlers with early childhood caries

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress levels and the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems in saliva of toddlers with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).DesignUnstimulated saliva samples were collected at the morning from 0 to 3 year-old S-ECC (n = 30) or caries-free (CF) children (n = 30/group) for evaluation of oxidative stress (OS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), which were measured by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, as well as to assess the activity of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, SOD) and non-enzymatic (uric acid, UA) antioxidant systems, respectively. Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test (p < 0.05).ResultsSignificantly higher protein levels were observed in saliva of S-ECC children (0.083 mg/mL) than in the CF group (0.070 mg/mL). Oxidative damage was significantly lower in saliva of S-ECC children (0.0019 μmol/L/mg protein) than in CF children (0.0039 μmol/L/mg protein), while salivary TAC (61.5 μmol/L), SOD activity (36.6 UE/mL) and uric acid (7.05 mg/mL) were significantly higher in saliva of S-ECC when compared to the CF group (49.1 μmol/L, 26.8 UE/mL and 5.02 mg/mL, respectively for TAC, SOD and UA).ConclusionOxidative stress levels were significantly lower in saliva of S-ECC children, what might be associated with the increased activity of salivary enzymatic (SOD) and non-enzymatic (uric acid) antioxidant systems.     

Local and systemic total antioxidant capacity in periodontitis and health

BACKGROUND: The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in periodontal pathology is unclear but will be modulated by in vivo antioxidant defence systems. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine both local (saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and peripheral (plasma and serum) antioxidant capacity in periodontal health and disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty non-smoking volunteers with chronic periodontitis were sampled together with twenty age- and sex-matched, non-smoking controls. After overnight fasting, saliva (whole unstimulated and stimulated) and blood were collected. Total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) was determined using a previously reported enhanced chemiluminescence method. RESULTS: GCF antioxidant concentration was significantly lower (p<0.001) in periodontitis subjects compared to healthy controls. Although mean levels of peripheral and salivary TAOC were also lower in periodontitis the difference was only significant for plasma (p<0.05). Healthy subjects' GCF antioxidant concentration was significantly greater than paired serum or plasma (p<0.001). Data stratified for gender did not alter the findings and a male bias was revealed in all clinical samples except GCF. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the antioxidant capacity of GCF is both qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from that of saliva, plasma and serum. Whether changes in the GCF compartment in periodontitis reflect predisposition to or the results of ROS-mediated damage remains unclear. Reduced plasma total antioxidant defence could result from low-grade systemic inflammation induced by the host response to periodontal bacteria, or may be an innate feature of periodontitis patients.     

Levels of salivary IgA in patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a matched case–control study

Objectives

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral mucosal disease. Despite plenty of studies on aetiopathogenesis of RAS, a definite cause is not clear. The objective of this study was to determine the potential changes of salivary IgA and salivary flow rate in patients affected with minor form of RAS.

Materials and methods

Levels of salivary IgA in 33 patients with acute RAS (minor form) and 33 matched healthy controls were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Resting salivary flow rates were determined too. Both measurements, levels of salivary IgA and resting salivary flow rate, were performed again for each RAS patient in remission phase.

Results

Levels of salivary IgA were significantly increased in acute phase of RAS [median (interquartile range)—124.94 μg/mL (106.22–136.31)] in comparison with the levels in healthy controls [88.92 μg/mL (76.85–93.91; P?<?0.001)] and with the levels in remission phase [102.4 μg/mL (84.6–120.16; P?=?0.01)]. Even in the disease-free period (remission phase), levels of salivary IgA remained significantly higher in comparison with the levels in healthy controls (P?=?0.01). Salivary flow rates, on the other side, were not influenced by the disease state (RAS vs. healthy), phase (acute vs. remission) or even gender (males vs. females).

Conclusion

Marked increase of salivary IgA in acute and remission phases of the minor RAS may suggest a potential role for this immunoglobulin in pathogenesis of the disease.

Clinical relevance

Salivary IgA may be an important aetiological agent in the pathogenesis of RAS, and hence, its immunomodulation may help prevent the disease.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress and antioxidant profile in patients with oral lichen planus

J Oral Pathol Med (2011) 40 : 286–293 Objective: The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant profile in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) using serum and salivary samples and to compare these biomarkers in a group of healthy subjects. Patients and methods: Twenty‐one recently diagnosed patients with OLP and 20 healthy controls with matched periodontal status were recruited to the study. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) and lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in both serum and saliva were determined. Univariate comparisons between the two groups were made for quantitative and categorical variables to determine any significant differences. Results: In OLP patients, total antioxidant defense (TAA) was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects in their serum samples (P = 0.01). Salivary MDA levels were significantly higher in the OLP group compared with healthy subjects (P = 0.03). A significant correlation was found between serum and saliva TAA estimates in patients with OLP (r = 0.714 and P = 0.0001) and in the control group (r = 0.69 and P = 0.001). Significant correlation was also found between serum and saliva MDA values in control group (r = 0.464 and P = 0.04). A significant inverse correlation was found between salivary MDA and TAA values in the control group (r = ?0.598 and P = 0.005). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest an increased oxidative stress and imbalance in the antioxidant defense system in biological fluids of patients with OLP. These findings may reflect the disease phenomenon of OLP rather than a causal effect and their role in pathogenesis and transformation of OLP to cancer, if any, needs further elucidation.     

Salivary Lipid Peroxidation in Patients With Generalized Chronic Periodontitis and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Lipid peroxidation is a major consequence of oxidative stress and can be evaluated via malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The present study aims to assess MDA levels in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and establish their correlation with periodontal clinical parameters, serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), and plasma fibrinogen. Methods: The study enrolled 64 patients stratified into four age‐ and sex‐matched groups: both ACS and CP, ACS only, CP only, and healthy controls. All patients were examined, periodontal clinical parameters were recorded, and saliva and blood samples were collected. Salivary MDA levels were measured using a spectrophotometric assay. A quantitative turbidimetric test was used for the measurement of serum hsCRP levels, and plasma fibrinogen levels were determined using an automated analyzer. Results: Salivary MDA levels were significantly higher in patients with both ACS and CP than in those with only ACS or only CP and healthy controls (P <0.05). There were significant positive correlations between salivary MDA levels and periodontal clinical parameters as well as biomarkers for cardiovascular events (P <0.001). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate salivary MDA levels in patients with ACS and their correlations with serum hsCRP and plasma fibrinogen levels. The results indicate that salivary MDA levels could be a biomarker for cardiovascular and/or periodontal disease.     

Salivary osteocalcin levels are decreased in smoker chronic periodontitis patients

Oral Diseases (2011) 17 , 200–205 Objectives: This study was planned to investigate whether smoker chronic periodontitis patients exhibit different salivary concentrations of C‐telopeptide pyridinoline cross‐links of type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) compared to the non‐smoker counterparts. Methods: Whole saliva samples, full‐mouth clinical periodontal recordings were obtained from 33 otherwise healthy chronic periodontitis patients and 36 systemically, periodontally healthy control subjects. Chronic periodontitis patients and healthy control subjects were divided into smoker and non‐smoker groups according to their self reports. Salivary ICTP, OC levels were determined by Enzyme‐linked Immunoassays. Results: Healthy control groups exhibited significantly lower values in all clinical periodontal measurements (P < 0.001). Smoker periodontitis patients revealed similar clinical periodontal index values with non‐smoker counterparts (P > 0.05). Chronic periodontitis patients exhibited significantly higher salivary OC levels than healthy controls (P < 0.05). Smoker periodontitis patients revealed lower salivary OC levels than non‐smoker counterparts (P < 0.001). Log ICTP levels in non‐smoker chronic periodontitis patients were higher than non‐smoker controls (P < 0.05). Smoker healthy control group revealed higher log ICTP levels than non‐smoker counterparts (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it may be suggested that suppression of salivary osteocalcin level by smoking may at least partly explain the deleterious effects of smoking on periodontal status.     

Salivary and plasma levels of Toll-like receptor 2 and Toll-like receptor 4 in chronic periodontitis

Background: This cross‐sectional study was planned to investigate whether patients with chronic periodontitis exhibit different salivary or plasma concentrations of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 compared to subjects who are clinically healthy. Methods: Whole saliva and plasma samples were obtained and full‐mouth clinical periodontal measurements were recorded from 22 otherwise healthy patients with chronic periodontitis and 21 systemically and periodontally healthy control subjects. Salivary and plasma TLR2 and TLR4 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunoassays. Data were tested statistically using Mann‐Whitney U test. Results: The healthy group exhibited significantly lower values in all clinical measurements (P <0.001). The salivary TLR2 levels were similar in the two study groups (P >0.05). The patients with chronic periodontitis exhibited significantly higher salivary TLR4 (P <0.01) and plasma TLR2 and TLR4 levels (P <0.05). Conclusion: The present findings support a hypothesis that inflammation increases expression of TLRs which leads to an increased detection of TLRs in saliva and plasma, which could be useful as a diagnostic test for periodontal diseases.     

Comparison of salivary and plasma antioxidant levels in lichen planus patients and healthy subjects

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41 : 524–526 Introduction: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic, mucocutaneous, inflammatory disease. It has become more evident that the immune system plays a primary role in the development of this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the total antioxidant status (TAS) of saliva and serum in patients with erosive OLP. Method and Materials: This study was designed as case‐control. In total, 48 patients with erosive OLP (34 women and 14 men) were enrolled as case group, and 44 self‐admitted healthy people (34 women and 10 men) were selected as control group. Measurement of total antioxidant status was carried out in saliva and plasma. t‐test was used for statistical analysis with significant level set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean ± SD of salivary TAS in case group was 0.98 ± 0.12, and in control group was 1.32 ± 0.18 mM, respectively, and there were significant differences between groups (P < 0.02). The mean ± SD of the plasma TAS in the case group and the control group was 1.24 ± 0.17 and 1.84 ± 0.34 mM, respectively. There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results showed that salivary and plasma levels of total antioxidant status in erosive OLP patients were lower than those in healthy subjects.     

Burning mouth syndrome and saliva: detection of salivary trace elements and cytokines

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is considered a syndrome with an unknown cause. Roles of various trace elements and cytokines in saliva have been implicated in the development of BMS. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of salivary trace elements [magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu)] and interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐6, and to search for a correlation between depression/anxiety and salivary trace elements and cytokines in BMS patients and controls. Methods: Thirty patients with BMS and 30 matched healthy controls participated in the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected from participants and salivary flow rates were determined. Mg, Zn and Cu levels were determined by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. Cytokine immunoassay kits were used to determine the concentration of IL‐2 and IL‐6 in the whole saliva samples. Anxiety and depression were analyzed by means of the Speilberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (SAI‐TAI) and Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale. Results: Although subjects in the control group had significantly higher mean levels for Mg compared with BMS patients (P < 0.01), no statistically significant differences were observed in relation to Zn and Cu levels between the two groups (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in IL‐2 and IL‐6 levels of BMS and control groups, but subjects in BMS group had slightly, not significantly, higher mean levels for IL‐6 compared with controls. Subjects in BMS group had significantly higher mean values for TAI compared with controls (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in relation to salivary levels of Mg, Zn, Cu, IL‐2, IL‐6 and depression/anxiety between BMS and control groups. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that Mg levels could have an impact on symptoms of BMS and further studies are necessary to determine the importance of cytokines in the pathogenesis of BMS.     

Salivary analysis and antioxidants in cleft lip and palate children

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sialometry, sialochemistry and antioxidants in cleft patients prior to alveolar closure procedures. DESIGN: Saliva was collected from 21 children with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP and BCLP) with overt oronasal alveolar communication and with recurrent licking of fluids and soft diet complaints (the study group) and in 22 normal individuals (the control group). Salivary flow rate was measured, and calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), magnesium (Mg), total protein, albumin, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and secretory IgA were analysed. Salivary total antioxidant status (TAS), peroxidase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, uric acid (UA), was also determined. RESULTS: The sialometry and sialochemistry analyses did not reveal significant difference between the two groups. Salivary median uric acid concentration was 6-fold lower in the cleft group (p<0.05). The median total antioxidant status (TAS) of the cleft group however, was significantly higher by 58% (p<0.005) than that of the control group. Median SOD activity was also higher in the cleft group, by 42%, though these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the oral biology system of cleft patients in their prealveolar closure stage does not differ significantly from normal controls. Low UA found in the saliva of cleft patients may suggest that some genetic alteration of the UA transport occurs simultaneously when cleft lip and palate occur. TAS reduction may also reveal an increased oxidative stress burden in the oral cavities of cleft children which has never been shown before.     

Association between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and salivary thiocyanate levels

The aim of this work was to investigate the association between recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and salivary thiocyanate levels. The sample comprised men and women of age ranging from 15 to 55 years, who were allocated to four groups: 28 patients in RAS active phase (group 1); 28 patients in RAS remission phase (group 2); 29 smokers (group 3); 26 non-smokers without RAS (group 4). Samples of whole saliva mechanically stimulated were collected, and thiocyanate levels were measured. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and paired t-test. Mean salivary thiocyanate values were 0.55 mM, 0.64 mM, 2.36 mM and 0.96 mM in groups 1 (active RAS), 2 (remission RAS), 3 (smokers) and 4 (control), respectively. There was no significant difference in thiocyanate levels when groups 1 and 2 were compared with group 4. Group 3 showed a significantly higher thiocyanate concentration when compared with groups 1, 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in thiocyanate levels between groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). It is therefore suggested that there is no association between RAS and salivary thiocyanate levels.     

Relationship between salivary melatonin and severity of periodontal disease

BACKGROUND: Melatonin possesses antioxidant, free-radical scavenging, and immunoenhancing properties that promote fibroblast activity and bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to examine the possible links between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of periodontal disease using the community periodontal index (CPI). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with different degrees of periodontal disease were studied. Salivary and plasma melatonin levels (by radioimmunoassay), salivary/plasma melatonin ratio, and CPI status were collected for each patient. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze relationships among variables. RESULTS: Data showed a significant correlation between CPI and salivary/plasma melatonin ratios. When saliva volume was controlled for, a significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between lower salivary melatonin and a worse CPI. This finding suggests that melatonin may act as a protector against free radicals produced by inflammatory periodontal diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary melatonin levels varied according to the degree of periodontal disease. As the degree of periodontal disease increased, the salivary melatonin level decreased, indicating that melatonin may act to protect the body from external bacterial insults. Therefore, melatonin may be potentially valuable in the treatment of periodontal diseases, although further research is required to validate this hypothesis.