Role of salivary biomarkers for detection of systemic diseases

Abstract

Objectives Analysis of inflammatory biomarkers in saliva could offer an attractive opportunity for the diagnosis of different systemic conditions specifically in epidemiologic surveys. The aim of this study was to investigate if certain salivary biomarkers could be used for detection of common systemic diseases. Methods A randomly selected sample of 1000 adults living in Belgaum, India, were invited to participate in a clinical study of oral health. A total of 451 individuals were enrolled in this investigation, and 50% were women. All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Their histories were taken, clinical examinations were performed, and stimulated saliva samples were collected. Salivary concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, lysozyme, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Salivary IL-8 concentration was found to be twice as high in patients who had tumor diseases. In addition, IL-8 levels were also elevated in patients with bowel disease. MMP-8 levels were elevated in saliva of patients after cardiac surgery or in those with diabetes and muscle and joint diseases. The levels of IL-1b, IL-8, and MMP-8, as well as the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio, were higher in patients with muscle and joint diseases. Conclusions Biomarkers in saliva have the potential to be used for screening purposes in epidemiologic studies. The relatively unspecific inflammatory markers used in this study cannot be used for diagnosis of specific diseases but can be seen as markers of increased systemic inflammation.