Summary
Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the variability of the level of copper, zinc and manganese in saliva amongst women with hypoestrogenia, treated and untreated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 60 women treated and untreated with HRT. Half of the patients were after natural menopause and other half was after surgical removal of ovaries. Research on micronutrients in non-stimulated saliva and blood serum was carried out in 2005. Tests on saliva were repeated in 2010. Investigation of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral bone was performed in year 2010.
Results: Statistical analysis of concentration of copper and zinc revealed a linear correlation between the levels of these microelements in blood serum and saliva. The study revealed that HRT has a beneficial effect on BMD and the concentration of copper and manganese in saliva and blood serum of patients after the menopause. Patients treated with HRT showed higher BMD values than groups not treated with hormones.
Conclusions: Saliva appears to be a promising diagnostic material which can be used to analyze the content of trace elements, but further research should be carried out on a broader research group.
