Lactate dehydrogenase and aminotransferases in saliva of diabetic children

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to find salivary gland involvement in diabetes type 1 by evaluation of changes in lactate dehydrogenase and aminotransferases activities as indices of cellular injury in saliva of diabetic children. Material and methods: 131 both sex children in age 8-18 years were examined, out of which 80 ill (group A) and 51 healthy (group O). In unstimulated mixed saliva total protein - P (by Lowry et al method), glucose - G, lactate dehydrogenase - LDH, aspartate aminotransferase - AST and alanine aminotransferase - ALT (using standard diagnostic tests) were measured and salivary flow rate - V as well. Moreover, in group A glycosylated haemoglobin - HbA1C was recorded at the time of investigations. The data were analysed by ANOVA. Results: The obtained data were as follows: in group A - V 0.20„b0.11 ml/min, P 1.47„b0.62 mg/ml, G 0.52„b0,43 mmol/L, LDH 178.79„b119.19 mIU, AST 34.09„b20.57 mIU, ALT 20.55„b14.77 mIU and in group O 0.34„b0.20 ml/min, 1.19„b0.43 mg/ml, 0.15„b0.11 mmol/L, 78.78„b50.63 mIU, 17.56„b10.37 mIU, 13.47„b8.25 mIU respectively. In group A in comparison to group O significantly lower salivary flow rate (p<0.001), higher protein (p<0.01) and glucose (p<0.001) concentrations and higher activities of LDH (p<0.001), AST and ALT (p<0.01). The levels of enzyme activity were higher in diabetic children diagnosed for 3 years and in subjects with poor control of the disease. Conclusions: The obtained data display that determination of cytosolic enzymes in saliva may be useful for monitoring the involvement of salivary glands in diabetes type 1.