Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the level of salivary immunoglobulins and periodontal status in smokers and non-smokers.Materials and methodsUnstimulated saliva of 30 subjects (mean age 24.2 ± 3.5 years) who were smokers (test group) and of 30 subjects (mean age 25.3 ± 3.8 years) who were non-smokers (control group) was collected and centrifugated; IgA, IgG, and IgM were measured with the colorimetric immunoenzymatic method. Moreover, the following periodontal clinical parameters were recorded for each subject: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL).ResultsA significantly (p< 0.05) lower Ig level was observed in smoking patients (IgA: 20.0 ± 1.2 mg/dl; IgM: 19.5 ± 1.6 mg/dl; IgG: 8.1 ± 1.4 mg/dl) compared to levels in the non-smoking control group (IgA: 234.1 ± 65.2 mg/dl; IgM: 121.0 ± 31.7 mg/dl; IgG: 1049.4 ± 102 mg/dl). In the test group, PI (2.2 ± 0.3), GI (2.4 ±0.5), PD (49.3 ± 9.2%), and CAL (49.3 ± 4.6%) were higher (p< 0.05) than those observed in the control group (PI: 0.8 ± 0.4; GI: 0.7 ± 0.3; PD: 10.6 ± 2.4%; CAL: 3.1 ± 0.8%).ConclusionSmoking subjects showed lower levels of salivary IgA, IgG, and IgM and a worse periodontal condition than non-smoking subjects. On the base of our study, as smoking subjects also had lower levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM in their saliva than non-smoking subjects, despite the fact that there is little evidence that the salivary Igs have a protective action against periodontitis and that the whole saliva does not result in whole from the salivary glands, it can be concluded that the deteriorated periodontal health conditions of these patients can be attributed in part to a lowering of the host’s defense due to a decrease in the quantity of Igs in salivary fluid.
Highlights
Immunoglobulins (Igs) are protein molecules produced by special cells in organisms’ immune systems in response to the presence of the penetration of external agents, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi, tumor cells, or tissues that are recognized as foreign because of the presence of cell surface antigens [1]
in smoking patients (IgA), which are produced by the plasma cells of the salivary glands, are the most represented Ig type in salivary fluid and, together with the action carried out by the subgingival microflora, exert a protective action against the oral bacteria [1,2]
Evaluation of salivary fluid The salivary analysis revealed significantly lower Ig levels in smoking patients compared to levels in the nonsmoking control group (Table 2)
Summary
Immunoglobulins (Igs) are protein molecules produced by special cells in organisms’ immune systems in response to the presence of the penetration of external agents, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi, tumor cells, or tissues that are recognized as foreign because of the presence of cell surface antigens [1]. IgAs, which are produced by the plasma cells of the salivary glands, are the most represented Ig type in salivary fluid and, together with the action carried out by the subgingival microflora, exert a protective action against the oral bacteria [1,2]. It has been observed that cigarette smoking can alter the salivary system by increasing salivary fluid, reducing certain salivary enzymes (i.e., amylase, lactic dehydrogenase, and acid phosphatase), and altering anti-oxidizing enzymes (i.e. glutathione peroxidase) and immune system function [4,5]. Smoking can worsen one’s periodontal status by altering the defenses through two different mechanisms: damaging the host’s normal response in the neutralization of infections and producing alterations that cause the destruction of surrounding healthy periodontal tissues [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
