Abstract
Stress is one of the most important determinants of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This study aimed to assess alterations in salivary TAC following academic stress according to the personality type. This descriptive study evaluated 53 dental students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, who were divided into type A (n = 25) and type B (n = 28) personality groups using the Bortner questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected during the 1st week of the semester (a low-stress period) and during the 1st week of the final exams (a high-stress period). Salivary TAC was measured using a specific kit. The data was analyzed using the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), the χ2 tests, the independent t tests, and the Bonferroni adjustments. Overall, salivary TAC in the high-stress period was significantly lower than that in the low-stress period (0.27 vs 0.31 mM) (p = 0.016). The comparison of salivary TAC between the type A and type B personality groups in the low-stress period showed no significant difference (p = 0.450). During the highstress period, a reduction in salivary TAC was recorded in both groups, which was borderline significant in the type A personality group (p = 0.050), but non-significant in the type B personality group (p = 0.140). The comparison of salivary TAC between the type A and B personality groups in the high-stress period also revealed no significant difference (p = 0.780). Academic stress can decrease salivary TAC, and the personality type has no significant effect on this relationship.
Highlights
Oxidative stress is due to the impaired balance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms
A reduction in salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was recorded in both groups, which was borderline significant in the type A personality group (p = 0.050), but non-significant in the type B personality group (p = 0.140)
Academic stress can decrease salivaryTAC, and the personality type has no significant effect on this relationship
Summary
Oxidative stress is due to the impaired balance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms. This imbalance can adversely affect various biomolecules, including lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is commonly measured in current research studies.[6] On the other hand, the collection of saliva and urine samples is non-invasive and easier as compared to blood collection. In recent decades, saliva and urine samples have been more commonly used than blood samples for the assessment of TAC.[2,5] it has been confirmed that a decreased salivary TAC indicates oxidative stress. Stress is one of the most important determinants of total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
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