Serum and Salivary Levels of Glucose and Urea in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women: A Comparative Study

Background: Pregnancy is one of the most critical periods in the life of most women. Since it is necessary to be aware of the health of the mother and fetus, serum markers (i.e., glucose and urea) need to be monitored during pregnancy. A routine strategy in this area is venipuncture which is applied to measure the level of these markers. It is also a stressful procedure for pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the salivary level of these markers as a stress-free method in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The samples were collected from 30 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant fasting women. Then, the serum and salivary levels of glucose and urea were measured, analyzed, and compared by photometry. Results: Results indicated that the mean salivary glucose level was 10.2±1.4 mg/dL and 6.4±0.9 mg/ dL in non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. In addition, the mean serum glucose level was 106.5±5.3 mg/dL and 82.9±4.5 mg/dL in non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. Further, the mean salivary urea level was 37.1±3.3 mg/dL in non-pregnant women and 27.1±1.9 mg/dL in pregnant women. Moreover, the mean serum urea level was 26.9±1.9 mg/dL and 19.5±2.3 mg/dL in non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. Conclusion: Serum and salivary levels of glucose and urea in pregnant women were lower than those in non-pregnant women, and there was a positive correlation between serum and salivary levels. Therefore, it seems that saliva can be a substitute for serum regarding the measurement of glucose and urea levels.

Effect of propolis extract on clinical parameters and salivary level of matrix metalloproteinase 8 in periodontitis patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Periodontitis is bacterial induced inflammation of the tooth-supporting structures. Local antibacterial agents are used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of Periodontitis. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of subgingivally delivered propolis extract (a resin produced by the honey bees) with chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on clinical parameters and salivary levels of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) in periodontitis patients. Methods: 28 periodontitis patients in stage II or III and grade B were divided in two groups. In control group, patients prescribed 0.2 % CHX mouthwash twice a day for two weeks. In the 20% propolis hydro-alcoholic group, subgingival irrigation was performed twice a week for two weeks. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline and after 2 months. Saliva samples were collected from propolis and control group at baseline and 2 months later to assess MMP-8 levels using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, Saliva from 12 periodontally healthy subjects was used to determine the normal levels of MMP-8. Data were analyzed using SPSS, P<0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: In the healthy group, the mean salivary levels of MMP-8 were significantly lower than that in control and propolis groups at baseline (P<0.001). The results indicated that there was a significant improvement in clinical parameters (p<0.001) in the propolis group compared to control group, while MMP-8 levels decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.001). Conclusions: Propolis is recommended as an adjunct therapy for periodontitis patients. Clinical trials registration code: IRCT2016122030475N3.

Salivary diagnosis of oral cancers by salivary samples: a systematic literature review

The aim of this article is to carry out a systematic analysis of the literature concerning the diagnosis of oral cancers by salivary samples. Different biomarkers, produced by the tumor itself or by its environment, show significant variations in their concentration at the salivary level, correlated or not at the blood or tissue level. After studying 239 articles, we included 36 in this analysis. This allowed us to extract 46 potential molecules for salivary diagnostics. Only 26 demonstrated a good level of evidence. 8 clusters have also been proposed for better specificity and sensitivity. To date, the protocols of the studies carried out do not allow to affirm that one or more biomarkers are effective for a salivary diagnosis of oral cancers. Part of the results contradict or sometimes lack precision. In addition, the studies included here do not have a good methodological quality and do not always take into account other factors influencing the concentrations (systemic diseases, age, sex, tobacco, alcohol, etc.). Additional studies are still necessary, notably with larger groups of patients, representative of the general population and standardization of the protocols for the study and quantification of biomarkers.

Examination of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Precancerous Lesions Using Proximity Extension Assay and Salivary RNA Quantification

Saliva is an easy-to access body fluid with high diagnostic potential. The utilization of saliva for oral cancer diagnosis can be an attractive possibility. Besides the oral cancer, it is important to better understand the precancerous lesions such as oral lichen planus (OLP) and leukoplakia (OLK). In order to examine the changes of salivary proteins in controls, patients with oral cancer, and patients with precancerous conditions, proximity extension assay was utilized. Some proteins and functions were characteristic to the examined groups and can serve as a starting point for further biomarker studies. The different nature of OLK and OLP was demonstrated, showing the malignant transformation and the inflammation as the prominent biological processes in the OLK and OLP, respectively. The salivary level of IL6 was verified using quantitative ELISA and the mRNA level was also studied. Elevated IL6 levels could be detected in precancerous groups compared to controls.

Evaluation of Salivary Interferon-Gamma Level in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Introduction: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is defined by recurring ulcers restricted to oral mucosa in the patients with no other signs of systemic disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the salivary level of interferon gamma in patients with RAS. Methods: In this case-control study, 30 patients with RAS (in Recurrence and recovery period) in the experimental and 25 healthy people as the control group were compared. Salivary interferon gamma level was evaluated by the use of ELISA method. Data were analyzed via SPSS version 16 software with Mann-U-Whitney test and Wilcoxon. P <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean salivary interferon gamma levels were 45.01±31.02 pg/ml and 32.04±19.02 pg/ml in the patients with RAS and healthy individuals, respectively. (P>0.001). In addition, interferon gamma level was 45.01± 31.02 pg/ml and 58.03± 52.04 pg/ml in the recurrence and recovery periods, respectively. (P=0.67). Conclusion: Salivary interferon gamma levels were higher in the patients with RAS than healthy individuals.

Effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on three salivary adipokines in diabetic patients with periodontitis

Background. This study investigated the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on clinical indices and salivary levels of visfatin, chemerin, and progranulin in diabetic patients with periodontitis. Methods. This interventional clinical trial was performed on 20 patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis (periodontitis stages II or III according to the new classification of periodontal diseases). Clinical indices, including gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and plaque index (PI), were recorded and visfatin, chemerin, and progranulin adipokines levels were also measured in unstimulated saliva by ELISA technique at baseline and twelve weeks after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Results. GI dropped from 1.92±0.27 to 0.71±0.14 after the intervention (P<0.001). Also, there were significant changes in the PPD and PI (P<0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in the CAL (P<0.05). The concentrations of all three salivary adipokines decreased after treatment, but this change was statistically significant only for progranulin (P<0.05). Conclusion. Non-surgical periodontal therapy resulted in improvements in the clinical indices of GI, PPD, and PI in T2DM patients with periodontitis. Moreover, the significant reduction in the salivary level of progranulin after treatment suggests that it might be considered a target inflammatory marker in periodontal diseases.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Urinary and Salivary Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Bipolar Patients During the Depressive Episode

Background: Although depression is the predominant phase in Bipolar Disorder (BPD) and causes the most psychosocial disability, optimal pharmacotherapy of bipolar depression is not known yet. Advances in research on BPD neurobiology have demonstrated that oxidative toxic stress (OTS) may be involved in the pathophysiology of BPD. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of adjuvant CoQ10, supplement with potent antioxidant properties, on salivary and urinary OTS biomarkers in patients with BPD during the depressive episode. Material and Methods: 89 BPD patients with current depressive episode were allocated into either CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo group by block randomization method. The salivary and urinary levels of OTS biomarkers including Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and DNA damage were measured at baseline and 8 weeks after treatment. Results: At baseline, urinary and salivary levels of TAC and DNA damage were statistically comparable between the two groups. After 8 weeks treatment with CoQ10, patients showed significantly higher increment in urinary TAC level compared to placebo, while salivary level of TAC did not display significant differences between the two groups. Although changes in salivary and urinary DNA damage levels were greater in CoQ10 group, the changes reached significant level only in the urine sample. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CoQ10 can improve OTS status in BPD patients during depressive episode. As activation of oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms responsible for BPD, it seems that CoQ10 due to its proven antioxidant properties, as add on therapy to standard treatment may be a promising agent in treating bipolar depression.