Periodontitis, Salivary Composition and Oxidative Stress

To identify salivary markers of successful periodontal treatment. Moreover, pre- and post-treatment examination of salivary markers including oxidative and inflammatory indices was performed in order to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of the disease.

Method:

Saliva was collected from twenty patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis before and after periodontal therapy which included scaling and root planning. Clinical parameters were measured before and after therapy and were correlated to saliva markers, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), amylase, IL-1α, uric acid and carbonyls.

Result:

A significant improvement in clinical parameters was observed. Pocket depth (PD) was significantly reduced from 5.38 ± 1.53 mm. at baseline to 3.08± 0.98 (p< 0.01) a significant correlation was observed between PD reduction and IL-1α in saliva (r-0.46) as well as a correlation between full mouth plaque score (r=0.68)  and full mouth bleeding score (r=0.51) improvements and salivary IL-1α reduction.

Salivary median concentrations of potassium, phosphate, protein, albumin, amylase and IL-1α decreased following treatment, by 27% (p=0.0485), 53% (p=0.0122), 56% (p=0.0146), 74% (p=0.0021), 72% (p=0.0430) and 51% (p=0.0007) respectively. Magnesium median concentration increased by 61% (p=0.015). Sensitivity and specificity values of these parameters were in the 75%-90% and 55%-90% range, respectively; three parameters - IL-1α, albumin and protein - were especially high, 90% and 80%, 90% and 70%, and 75% and 90% respectively. Simultaneous examination of IL-1 α, albumin and protein showed 100% sensitivity and specificity values.

Conclusion:

Salivary composition reflects disease severity and response to therapy, suggesting saliva monitoring for periodontal disease status and care.