Salivary Concentrations Research Articles

The feigned annoyance and frustration test to activate the sympathoadrenal medullary system

When perceived as threatening, social interactions have been shown to trigger the sympathoadrenal medullary system as well as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in a physiologic stress response. The allostatic load placed on human health and physiology in the context of acute and chronic stress can have profound health consequences. The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol for a lab-based stress stimulus using social-evaluative threat. While several valid, stress-stimulating protocols exist, we sought to develop one that triggered a physiologic response, did not require significant lab resources, and could be completed in around 10 min. We included 53 participants (29 men and 24 women) and exposed them to a modified version of the Stroop Color-Word Interference Task during which the participants were made to feel they were performing the task poorly while the lead researcher feigned annoyance and frustration. After exposure to this Feigned Annoyance and Frustration (FAF) Test, both the men and women in this study demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in subjective stress on the visual analog scale. Additionally, the men in this study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in heart rate and salivary α-amylase concentrations after exposure to the test. The women in this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant increase in the physiologic stress biomarkers. This protocol for the FAF Test shows promise to researchers with limited time and resources who are interested in experimentally activating the sympathoadrenal medullary system.

Salivary Fractalkine Differentiating Periodontitis from Periodontally Healthy Subjects.

The chemokine "Fractalkine" (CX3CL1) and its corresponding receptor (CX3CR1), chemokine belonging to the CX3C family, have an essential role in developing several systemic inflammatory disorders. Accordingly, the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of inflammatory cells are all affected by it. In light of this, the present study attempts to address the following questions: (1) Is the salivary level of fractalkine and its receptor associated with periodontitis patients with different severities? (2) Is it possible to distinguish periodontitis from periodontally healthy subjects? This study included 30 individuals who had been considered controls, having healthy periodontium, and 90 patients with varying stages of periodontitis. The patients were equally divided into three groups: those with Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III. After each subject's saliva was collected, periodontal markers including bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect the protein levels of salivary CX3CL1 and CX3CR1. In comparison to the control group, patients with periodontitis had statistically increased salivary concentrations of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 (P < 0.001). Additionally, all clinical periodontal indicators (BOP, PPD, and CAL) had a strong association with salivary CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 levels. Furthermore, by using the ROC (receiver operating characteristic), both biomarkers showed a good ability to differentiate periodontitis from periodontally healthy subjects, and an excellent ability to distinguish Stage I and Stage III periodontitis from periodontally healthy subjects. The AUC for salivary CX3L1 and its receptors, CX3R, was 0.93 and 0.8, respectively, to distinguish Stage I from patients with good periodontal health. In contrast, the biomarkers' AUC for separating individuals with Stage III periodontitis from those in healthy periodontal conditions was 1. Fractalkine and its receptor are linked to periodontitis and may distinguish between periodontitis and healthy periodontal tissues, suggesting its role as a possible part of periodontal disease pathogenesis.

Changes in the mechanical properties of the thigh and lower leg muscle-tendon units during the early follicular and early luteal phases.

This study aimed to determine changes in the muscle and tendon stiffness of the thigh and lower leg muscle-tendon units during the early follicular and early luteal phases, and check for possible relations between muscle and tendon stiffness in each phase. The sample consisted of 15 female university students with regular menstrual cycles. The basal body temperature method, ovulation kit, and salivary estradiol concentration measurement were used to estimate the early follicular and early luteal phases. A portable digital palpation device measured muscle-tendon stiffness in the early follicular and early luteal phases. The measurement sites were the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), patellar tendon (PT), medial head of gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, and Achilles tendon. No statistically significant differences in the thigh and lower leg muscle-tendon unit stiffness were seen between the early follicular and early luteal phases. Significant positive correlations were found between the stiffness of the RF and PT (r = 0.608, p = 0.016) and between the VM and PT (r = 0.737, p = 0.002) during the early luteal phase. The present results suggest that the stiffness of leg muscle-tendon units of the anterior thigh and posterior lower leg do not change between the early follicular and early luteal phases and that tendons may be stiffer in those women who have stiffer anterior thigh muscles during the early luteal phase.

Pilot study evaluating salivary bile acids as a diagnostic biomarker of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Bile acids in refluxate contribute to esophageal and laryngeal symptoms and are quantifiable. The aim of this study was to compare salivary bile acid concentrations across healthy controls and symptomatic patients (esophageal or laryngeal) with or without objective gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This prospective study enrolled adults into three groups: esophageal symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain); laryngeal symptoms (cough, throat clearing, sore throat, dysphonia); and controls. Symptomatic patients primarily underwent prolonged wireless reflux monitoring off acid suppression and were categorized as symptomatic no GERD (acid exposure time <4%) or esophageal/laryngeal symptoms with GERD (acid exposure time ≥4%). Controls did not undergo reflux monitoring nor upper endoscopy. Saliva samples were provided for bile acid analysis via ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Thirty-five participants were enrolled (mean age 47.4years [SD 18.9], 16 [46%] male), including 10 controls and 25 symptomatic: 9 no GERD, 5 esophageal symptoms + GERD, and 11 laryngeal symptoms + GERD. Total salivary bile acids were highest in the laryngeal symptoms + GERD group (24.2nM [SD 24.7]) compared to other groups (controls: 5.8 [6.0], P = 0.03; symptomatic no GERD: 3.1 [4.4]; P < 0.01; esophageal symptoms + GERD: 7.1 [7.1], P = 0.10). Bile acids were elevated in 45% (5/11) of the laryngeal symptoms + GERD group compared to 0% of the other three groups (P < 0.01). Salivary bile acids were higher among patients with laryngeal symptoms and objective GERD versus other groups. Salivary bile acids are a quantifiable biomarker with diagnostic potential for laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Recovery in elite youth basketball players: The responsiveness of the psychophysiological measurements and the role of testosterone concentration

ABSTRACT This study investigated the recovery responses to the Total Quality Recovery (TQR), Well-Being questionnaire (WBQ), and Heart Rate (HR) responses to Submaximal Running Test (SRT), and the influence of salivary testosterone concentration (TEST) on these responses in 25 elite youth (U15) male basketball players. TQR, WBQ, and HR measurements were assessed after 48 hours of rest (T1), 24 hours after the 1st day of training (T2) and 24 hours after the 2nd day of training (T3). Salivary sampling was conducted at T1 and T3. A significant decrease was observed for TQR (F = 4.06; p = 0.01) and for WBQ (F = 5.37; p = 0.008) from T1 to T3. No difference among the three-time points was observed for HR and HR Recovery, and the TEST concentration did not influence the results. These results show that TQR and WBQ are sensitive to acute transient alterations in training loads (TL) and may be utilized to monitor recovery in elite youth basketball players. The HR related measurements presented limited responsiveness, and the TEST seems not to influence the recovery of these players who are competing at highest performance level.

Estimation and Association of Total Protein Concentration with Early Childhood Caries in 3-6-year-old Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Caries is a common problem witnessed in children, early childhood caries (ECC) is the most predominant chronic disease which not only leads to distress and pain but also poor quality of life, thus affecting the overall well-being of children. Salivary protein plays a vital part in monitoring health status or disease. It was stated that the salivary proteins could regulate the equilibrium of oral health, preserve a stable ecosystem, and constrain the growth of cariogenic bacteria. The aim of this study is to estimate the total protein concentration in saliva and its correlation to ECC. A total of 20 patients with ECC in the age-group of 3-6 years were selected as the experimental group and 20 patients without caries for the control group. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and subjected to spectrophotometry. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. Independent student's t-test was used for the comparison of mean salivary pH between the caries group and the control group. Mann-Whitney test was used for a comparison of salivary total protein concentrations between the two groups. The mean pH of the carious group showed a statistically significant slightly lower value than that of the noncarious group. On the contrary, the mean total protein concentration of the carious group presented a statistically significant higher value than that of the noncarious group. Age-wise comparison of mean salivary proteins in the carious group and the noncarious group showed an increase in the protein concentration in the children aged 4 years or younger. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is a strong association between the total protein concentration in saliva and ECC. There exists a significant increase in the total protein concentration in children with ECC. As age increases, total protein concentration decreases with age. Total protein concentration and particular protein estimation and quantification help us in assessing the risk of caries in children at the earliest and prevention of caries through preventive measures. Estimation of total salivary protein concentration in children can be a marker for ECC in children. Thimmegowda U, Pai S, Chikkanarasaiah N, et al. Estimation and Association of Total Protein Concentration with Early Childhood Caries in 3-6-year-old Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(1):36-40.

Hora est. The relationship between stress, salivary proteins and caries experience in children

Dental caries is a major public health problem and untreated caries has serious consequences for children. Psychosocial factors have multiple consequences, among others on the composition of saliva. Therefore, this study investigated whether stress and various salivary protein levels are associated with dental caries experience in children. The activity of the Matrix Metalloproteinases MMP-8 and MMP-9 and the total proteolytic activity in saliva turned out to be indicators for the caries experience. Salivary Alpha-Amylase seems to be a protector and was a strong indicator for caries experience. In cases where children were exposed to two different dental treatments, the level of salivary cortisol- and alpha-amylase increased, in which a distinction could be made between non-invasive and invasive treatment. The results of the study emphasise the need for further research into the way stress and salivary protein concentrations can affect the caries experience and how different dental treatments can influence the behaviour and stress levels in children.

Psychological Stress and its relationship to Periodontal flora and salivary Nitrite/Nitrate

ObjectivePsychological stress can be a common risk factor for the development of oral and systemic disease; therefore, analysis of a pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain this association may be significant in planning preventive strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association amongst academic stress, periodontal health, and salivary cortisol and nitrite and nitrate levels in a sample of university students. MethodsParticipants (N = 14) were classified into 2 groups according to their exposure to academic stress due to periods of university exams (n = 6 and n = 8, respectively). All participants were subjected evlauted for their behavioural, psychological, and anthropometric parameters, as well as an oral health examination. A real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in samples of saliva and plaque was used to detect Prevotella intermedia and Veillonella dispar as well as the total bacterial count. Nitrite/nitrate ratio (NR ratio) and cortisol in saliva were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsFull Mouth Bleeding Score, Full Mouth Plaque Score, and Gingival Index were significantly higher in the group exposed to academic stress. Nitrite was directly related to the presence of V dispar (coefficient, 0.13; P = .00; CI, 0.07 to 0.19) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, −0.07; P = .012; CI, −0.13 to 0.02). NR ratio was directly related to V dispar (coefficient, 4.35; P = .010; 95% CI, 1.35 to 7.36) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, −4.05; P = .018; 95% CI, −7.32 to 0.86). ConclusionsThese results confirm the importance of stress on periodontal health and salivary nitrite concentration and highlight a potential differential role of specific bacteria on nitrite concentration in saliva.

Changes of Salivary Concentration of IL-6 and TNF-Α in Early Childhood Caries

Background: Early childhood caries is a biofilm-dependent, critical, widespread health problem in both developing and industrialized countries. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) has several roles in the body's response to inflammation and tissue damage. TNF-α is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Aim of Study: The purpose of this research was to assess the salivary concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in children with dental caries and study the correlation between cytokines and DMFs index. Materials and Methods: Eighty children aged four and five took part in the study. Forty children with ECC served as the research group, whereas 40 caries-free children of the same age and gender served as the control group. Clinical parameters were assessed after an oral examination and measurement. All participants had saliva samples obtained. IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations in saliva were estimated using an ELISA test. Results: The current study found a significant elevation (P&lt;0.05) in mean levels of TNF-α and IL-6 among children with ECC in comparison to caries free children. Moreover, there is significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α levels in caries children. Conclusion: Based on these results, it seems likely that elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 are involved in ECC.

A Determination of Salivary and Serum Glucose Levels in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this work was to determine and compare serum and salivary glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). This study had an overall sample size of 100, which consisted of male and female volunteers aged 30-67 years. Both in-depth interviews and physical tests were conducted. Blood and saliva were collected from the participants while fasting, which were analyzed to determine the levels of salivary alpha-amylase (α-amylase). Both the subjects and the controls were instructed to test their blood glucose levels while fasting and it was suggested that HbA1c values will be used for diagnosing diabetes following the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association, Centers for Disease Control, and World Health Organization. The average age of the control group (Category A) was noted as 47.52±6.28 years, and that of the study group (Category B) was 49.17±7.25 years. In Category A, female (n=23) were 46%, and 54% were male (n=27); and 40% of the people in Category B were female (n=20), and 60% were male (n=30). The majority of patients (54%) in Category B displayed an average level of DM control (n=27), followed by poor control (24%. n=12), well-controlled (20%, n=10), anduncontrolled DM (2%, n=1). Category A had an average salivary α-amylase concentration of 3.1±0.88 U/L, whereas that of Category B was 12.06±2.36 U/L. Thus, the mean salivary α-amylase level of Category B was found to be much higher than that of Category A, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The determination of α-amylase levels in the saliva of individuals suspected of having type II DM has been suggested as a potential diagnostic method. Screenings conducted at healthcare institutions and community health fairs, as well as epidemiological studies, might benefit from this method. We believe that normal clinical practice should include the use of saliva in a broad variety of diagnostic tests.

Salivary iodine concentration in pregnant women and its association with iodine status and thyroid function.

There have been no reports on the application of salivary iodine concentration (SIC) in evaluating iodine nutrition in pregnant women. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between SIC and indicators of iodine nutritional status and thyroid function during pregnancy, to investigate whether salivary iodine can be applied to the evaluation of iodine nutritional status in pregnant women, and to provide a reference basis for establishing a normal range of salivary iodine values during pregnancy. Pregnant women were enrolled in the Department of Obstetrics, the people's hospital of Yuncheng Country, Shandong Province, from July 2021 to December 2022, using random cluster sampling. Saliva, urine, and blood samples were collected from pregnant women to assess iodine nutritional status, and venous blood was collected to determine thyroid function. A total of 609 pregnant women were included in this study. The median spot urinary iodine concentration (SUIC) was 261μg/L. The median SIC was 297μg/L. SIC was positively correlated with SUIC (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001), 24-h UIC (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001), 24-h urinary iodine excretion (24-h UIE) (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001), and estimated iodine intake (EII) (r = 0.52, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, there was a weak correlation between SIC and serum total iodine and serum non-protein-bound iodine (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, respectively). Pregnant women with a SIC < 176μg/L had a higher risk of insufficient iodine status (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.35-3.19) and thyroid dysfunction (OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.18-6.21) compared to those with higher SIC. Those having SIC > 529μg/L were more likely to have excessive iodine status (OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.81-4.38) and thyroid dysfunction (OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.36-6.78) than those with lower SIC values. SIC is associated with urinary iodine concentration and thyroid function in pregnant women. SIC < 176μg/L was associated with an increased risk for iodine deficiency and hypothyroxinemia, while SIC > 529μg/L was related to excess and thyrotoxicosis. SIC can be used as a reference indicator for evaluating the iodine nutrition status of pregnant women, but it needs further investigation and verification. NCT04492657(Aug 9, 2022).

Tonghua Liyan granules in the treatment of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease with stagnation of phlegm and qi syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is an extraesophageal syndromic manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Despite the increasing incidence of and concern about LPRD, treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is unsatisfactory. Here, LPRD was treated with Tonghua Liyan (THLY) granules in combination with PPIs to evaluate treatment efficacy and possible adverse reactions. Methods: Seventy-six LPRD patients with stagnation of phlegm and qi syndrome (SPQS) were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received THLY granules combined with rabeprazole capsules. The control group received THLY granule placebo combined with rabeprazole capsules. A parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with these two groups. The treatment cycle was 8weeks. The reflux symptom index (RSI), clinical symptom score, salivary pepsin content, reflux finding score (RFS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GerdQ) were used to evaluate clinical efficacy. The final efficacy rate was evaluated according to the RSI and clinical symptom score. Results: Compared with those at baseline, all the indicators in the experimental group and control group significantly improved (p < 0.01). In terms of the RSI, clinical symptom score, and RFS, the experimental group had a higher degree of improvement (p < 0.05), and the overall efficacy rate was higher (p < 0.05). In terms of the salivary pepsin concentration and GerdQ, there was no significant difference between the test group and the control group (p > 0.05). Both groups of safety indicators showed no abnormalities and did not cause any allergic reactions in the body. Conclusion: Compared with PPIs alone, THLY granules combined with PPIs are more effective in the treatment of LPRD patients with SPQS in terms of symptoms and signs. This combination treatment, because of its higher clinical efficacy and lack of obvious adverse reactions, is worthy of clinical promotion and further in-depth study. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100046614.

The endogenous oxytocin after manipulative osteopathic treatment in full-term pregnant women.

The aim of this study is to assess whether the touch of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can affect the endogenous production of oxytocin in full-term pregnant women and the assessment of well-being following the treatment. In this study have been enrolled 57 pregnant women at full-term pregnancy (37th-41st week) for evaluation of the concentration of salivary oxytocin 2 minutes before and 2 minutes after a single session of OMT by an osteopath lasting for 30 minutes. Pre-OMT and post-OMT saliva samples were collected with the use of Salivette® salivary swabs. 7 salivary swabs were excluded from the analysis. 50 samples were analyzed with an appropriate ELISA kit. The mean OT salivary concentration pre-OMT was 89.98±16.39, and post-OMT was 100.60±19.13 tends to increase with p=0.0000051. In multivariate analysis, two subgroups show interesting data in the mean difference in OT salivary concentration post-OMT: women with painful contractions (p=0.06) and women under 35 years (p=0.09). The results of this study demonstrate that the effectiveness of OMT-increasing endogenous oxytocin is statistically significant in full-term pregnant women. The sensation of well-being found in most women indicates that there has been a predominantly central rather than peripheral oxytocin release after OMT.

A weighted blanket increases pre-sleep salivary concentrations of melatonin in young, healthy adults

A weighted blanket increases pre-sleep salivary concentrations of melatonin in young, healthy adults

Salivary iodide status as a measure of whole body iodine homoeostasis?

Iodine is a trace element required to produce the thyroid hormones, which are critical for development, growth and metabolism. To ensure appropriate population iodine nutrition, convenient and accurate methods of monitoring are necessary. Current methods for determining iodine status either involve a significant participant burden or are subject to considerable intra-individual variation. The continuous secretion of iodide in saliva potentially permits its use as a convenient, non-invasive assessment of status in populations. To assess its likely effectiveness, we reviewed studies analysing the association between salivary iodide concentration (SIC) and dietary iodine intake, urinary iodide concentration (UIC) and/or 24-h urinary iodide excretion (UIE). Eight studies conducted in different countries met the inclusion criteria, including data for 921 subjects: 702 healthy participants and 219 with health conditions. SIC correlated positively with UIC and/or UIE in four studies, with the strength of relationship ranging from r = 0·19 to r = 0·90 depending on sampling protocol, age, and if salivary values were corrected for protein concentration. Additionally, SIC positively correlated with dietary intake, being strongest when saliva was collected after dinner. SIC varied with external factors, including thyroid function, use of some medications, smoking and overall health status. Evidence provided here supports the use of SIC as a viable, low-burden method for determining iodine status in populations. However, small sample sizes and high variability indicates the need for more extensive analyses across age groups, ethnicities, disease states and dietary groups to clarify the relative accuracy and reliability in each case and standardise procedure.

Assessment of the Salivary Concentrations of Selected Immunological Components in Adult Patients in the Late Period after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-A Translational Study.

(1) The aim of the study was to analyze the salivary concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and sIgA antibodies in adult patients in the late period after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). The relationship between these concentrations and the salivary secretion rate and the time elapsed after alloHSCT was investigated. The relationship between the concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and sIgA and the titer of the cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and L. acidophilus was assessed. (2) The study included 54 individuals, aged 19 to 67 (SD = 40.06 ± 11.82; Me = 39.5), who were 3 to 96 months after alloHSCT. The concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and sIgA were assessed in mixed whole resting saliva (WRS) and mixed whole stimulated saliva (WSS). (3) The majority of patients had very low or low concentrations of the studied salivary components (WRS-lysozyme: 52, lactoferrin: 36, sIgA: 49 patients; WSS-lysozyme: 51, lactoferrin: 25, sIgA: 51 patients). The levels of lactoferrin in both WRS and WSS were statistically significantly higher in the alloHSCT group than in the control group (CG) (alloHSCT patients-WRS: M = 40.18 μg/mL; WSS: M = 27.33 μg/mL; CG-WRS: M = 17.58 μg/mL; WSS: 10.69 μg/mL). No statistically significant correlations were observed between lysozyme, lactoferrin, and sIgA concentrations and the time after alloHSCT. In the group of patients after alloHSCT a negative correlation was found between the resting salivary flow rate and the concentration of lactoferrin and sIgA. The stimulated salivary flow rate correlated negatively with lactoferrin and sIgA concentrations. Additionally, the number of S. mutans colonies correlated positively with the concentration of lysozyme and sIgA. (4) The concentrations of non-specific and specific immunological factors in the saliva of patients after alloHSCT may differ when compared to healthy adults; however, the abovementioned differences did not change with the time after transplantation.

P137 Salivary calprotectin: a potential biomarker in inflammatory bowel disease?

Abstract Background Background: Biomarkers are used frequently for evaluation and monitoring of IBD. Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is an already established biomarker in IBD, nevertheless patients often do not feel comfortable with stool manipulation. A saliva sample collection is particularly interesting due to its noninvasiveness and readiness of collection. We aimed to assess if salivary calprotectin (SCP) could be used as a new biomarker to assess disease activity. Methods In this observational cohort study, saliva was collected through the passive drool technique from adult IBD patients. All patients were submitted to a previous oral examination performed by a dentist. Recent history of antibiotic treatment (within the preceding month), proton pump inhibitors or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were exclusion criteria. Determination of FCP and SCP levels was accomplished using Elia Stool Extraction Kit and Elia Calprotectin 2 test. Intestinal disease activity was assessed with fecal calprotectin levels and the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) or Partial Mayo score (PMS). Ethical approval was obtained. Results 92 patients (56 with CD and 36 with UC) were included. Clinical characteristics are presented in Table 1. Patients had a median FCP of 45 mg/Kg and a median SCP of 206.5 mg/Kg. No significant correlations between SCP and FCP, CRP (C-reactive protein), ferritin and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were found. However, there was a significant correlation between fecal calprotectin and CRP (p&amp;lt;0.001) and ESR (p=0.011). Disease activity scores did not correlate significantly with SCP, although there was a significant correlation between FCP and PMS (p=0.006). IBD patients were stratified based on a composite criterion for inactive disease HBI score &amp;lt;5 for CD or a PMS ≤ 2 for UC, and FCP cutoff value of 150 mg/Kg), with no significant difference in SCP between the two groups, despite the significant difference in FCP (p&amp;lt;0.001). No significant differences between different treatments groups or no treatment in salivary calprotectin concentration were found using Kruskal–Wallis H tests (CD (χ2(4) = 6.211, p = 0.184; UC group (χ2(3) = 1.201, p = 0.753)). 77% of patients with IBD do not have periodontal health. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in the median SCP value between patients with or without periodontal health. Although the median SCP value was higher in patients with UC without periodontal health, the difference was not statistically significant (0.484). Conclusion SCP does not correlate with FCP and do not represent a reliable biomarker to distinguish disease activity in patients with IBD patients. Moreover, according to our results, it cannot be used as a marker of lack of oral health, namely periodontitis.

Pre-Analytical Factors Affecting Extracellular DNA in Saliva

Salivary DNA is widely used for genetic analyses because of its easy collection. However, its extracellular fraction in particular, similar to the extracellular DNA (ecDNA) in plasma, could be a promising biomarker for oral or systemic diseases. In contrast to genetics, the quantity of salivary ecDNA is of importance and can be affected by the pre-analytical processing of samples, but the details are not known. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of centrifugation and freezing of saliva on the concentration of ecDNA in saliva. Fifteen healthy volunteers, free of any known systemic or oral diseases, were asked to collect unstimulated saliva samples. Aliquots were centrifuged at 1600× g and frozen or directly processed. The fresh or thawed cell-free saliva samples underwent subsequent centrifugation at 16,000× g. The supernatants were used for DNA isolation and quantification using fluorometry and real-time PCR. While freezing had minimal effects on the salivary ecDNA concentration, another centrifugation step decreased ecDNA considerably in both fresh and frozen samples (by 97.8% and 98.4%, respectively). This was mirrored in the quantitative PCR targeting a nuclear (decrease by 93.5%) and mitochondrial (decrease by 97.7%) ecDNA sequence. In conclusion, in this first study focusing on the technical aspects of salivary ecDNA quantitation, we show that, regardless of its subcellular origin, the concentration of ecDNA in saliva is mainly affected by additional centrifugation and not by the freezing of centrifuged cell-free saliva samples. This suggests that most salivary ecDNA likely is associated with cell debris and apoptotic bodies. Which fraction is affected by a particular disease should be the focus of further targeted studies.

The Effect of Salivary Zinc Concentration in Dental Caries Experience

This study was aimed to investigated the relationship between caries experience and Zinc concentration in salivary supernatant. Materials and methods: This study was done on Forty healthy-looking dental students in Tikrit University, with age range between 19-24 years, stimulated mixed saliva were collected from them and the supernatant part of it were subjected to analysis by Atomic Spectrophotometer in analytical center of chemical engineering college/ Tikrit University, to estimate Zinc concentration. Assessment of caries prevalence was carried out by clinical examination using DMFT and DMFS indices. Zinc concentration and dental caries experience took place in relation to gender.The result showed that the Zinc level in saliva of caries experience group was 76.6±20.6 ng/ml, while that of caries free group was 72.6±32.3 ng/ml. The total mean of saliva Zinc concentration in saliva of males in both gr oups was higher than females.Saliva zinc concentrati on was higher in individuals with caries free when compared with individuals having caries experience. The severity of dental ca ries was associated with the increasing salivary zinc concentrat ion. There was significant differences between the salivary zinc concentration in both sexes. Males in both groups having higher salivary zinc concentration than that in females.

Interpretation of Oral Involvement in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome by Using Salivary Markers

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the salivary and lacrimal glands that leads to functional impairment. Hypof unction of salivary glands is the main cause of oral pathological changes and is associated with alterations in the constituents of the saliva. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that proteomic approaches markers (notably peptides) are involved in the oral manifestations observed in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A total number of 71 participants were admitted in the study; 21 of them have Sjögren's syndrome (Group I), 43 non- Sjögren's syndrome cases refer red or attended the dental clinic seeking for certain management (Group II) and 7 apparent healthy subjects without dental problems (Group III). Stimulated saliva was collected from each patients and participants for biochemical analysis including assessment of salivary protein and peptides. Salivary flow rate was significantly (p&lt;0.01) reduced in SS patients by 33.4% and 24.1% of corresponding Group II and Group III respectively. The salivary protein concentrations (total albumin and peptides) pe r milliliter saliva fluid were increased in SS patients. Saliva peptides (2.09±1.01 mg/ml) level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) hi gher than Group II (1.708±0.649 mg/ml) and Group III (1.339±0.517 mg/ml). Hypofunction of saliv ary glands in SS is associated with significant changes in the saliva constituents particularly the peptides.