Relationship between salivary alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity and the concentrations of salivary calcium and phosphateions

Although salivary alkaline phosphatase [ALP] can balance de- and remineralization processes of enamel, there is no evidence regarding its effects on the concentrations of calcium and phosphate in saliva. The present study aims to determine the relationship between salivary ALP activity and the concentrations of calcium and phosphate in saliva. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated salivary markers in 120 males, ages 19 to 44 years. All participants provided 5 mL of unstimulated whole saliva and the level of enzyme activity as well as calcium and phosphate concentrations were measured using a colorimetric method. Data were gathered and analyzed by statistical package for social sciences [SPSS] 13.00 using Pearson correlation test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of participants in the present study was 32.95 +/- 8.09 years. The mean pH of saliva was 6.65 +/- 0.62. Salivary parameters included average ALP activity [5.04 +/- 1.866 U/dL], calcium [4.77 +/- 0.877 mg/dL] and phosphate [10.38 +/- 2.301 mg/dL]. Pearson correlation test showed no significant relationship between ALP activity and calcium and phosphate concentrations in saliva [p>0.05]. According to the results of the present study, there was no significant relation between salivary ALP activity and calcium and phosphate concentrations in saliva. However, further research is highly recommended

Dental caries prevalence in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy in Kermanshah, Iran

Introduction of new approaches for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection such as anti-retroviral medicines has resulted in an increase in the life expectancy of HIV patient. Evaluating the dental health status as a part of their general health care is needed in order to improve the quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the root and crown caries rate in HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART] with that rate in HIV patients without treatment option. This cross sectional study consisting of 100 individuals of both genders with human immunodeficiency virus were divided into two groups: i. group 1 [treatment group] including 50 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] receiving HAART and ii. group 2 [control group] including 50 HIV infected patients not receiving HAART. Dental examinations were done by a dentist under suitable light using periodontal probe. For each participant, numbers of decay [D], missed [M], filled [F], Decayed missed and filled teeth [DMFT], decay surface [Ds], missed surface [Ms], filled surface [Fs], Decayed missed and filled surfaces [DMFS], and tooth and root caries were recorded. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and independent t test using SPSS 13.0, while p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in all analysis. The mean and standard deviation [SD] of decayed, missed and filled teeth of those who were on highly active antiretroviral therapy was 6.86 +/- 3.57, 6.39 +/- 6.06 and 1.89 +/- 1.93, respectively. There was no significant difference between these values regarding to the treatment of patients. The mean and standard deviation of DMFT, DMFS and the number of decayed root surfaces were 15.14 +/- 6.09, 56.79 +/- 28.56, and 4.96 +/- 2.89 in patients treated by anti-retroviral medicine which were not significantly different compared to those without this treatment. According to the results of the present study, highly active antiretroviral therapy could not be considered as a single factor for dental caries prevalence in HIV-infected patients. However, more research is recommended to evaluate the cariogenic potential of these medicines

The relationship between the level of salivary alpha amylase activity and pain severity in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of dental pain severity is very challenging in dentistry. Previous studies have suggested that elevated salivary alpha amylase may contribute to increased physical stresses. There is a close association between salivary alpha amylase and plasma norepinephrine under stressful physical conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pain severity and salivary alpha amylase levels in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients (20 females and 16 males) with severe tooth pain due to symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were selected. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the pain severity in each patient. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and the level of alpha amylase activity was assessed by the spectrophotometric method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13. RESULTS: The level of alpha amylase was significantly increased in the saliva in association with pain severity assessed by VAS. The salivary alpha amylase was also elevated with increased age and in males. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between the VAS pain scale and salivary alpha amylase level, which indicates this biomarker may be a good index for the objective assessment of pain intensity.

[Comparison of the anti-caries effect of polyphenol extract of green tea with 0.05% fluoride, 0.2% chlorhexidine and fluoride-chlorhexidine, an in vitro study]

Mouth rinses beside the other methods have an important role in reducing dental caries. The aim of this study was in-vitro comparison of the anti-caries effect of polyphenol extract of green tea with 0.05% fluoride, 0.2% cholorhexidine and fluoridecholorhexidine. In this laboratory experimental study, 50 maxillary premolars were placed separately in tubes which contained cariogenic solution [streptococcus mutans, lactobacillus and 3 ml sucrose solution of 20%]. Each tube regarding the rinse solution was placed in 5 experimental groups [n=10] as follows: 1] normal saline, 2] 10% solution of green tea polyphenol extract, 3] 0.05% fluoride, 4] 0.2% cholorhexidine and 5] fluoride_cholorhexidine. Every 24 hours, the teeth were rinsed with 5 mL of the rinse. After 21 hours, the depth of decay was measured by polarized light microscope. Data were analyzed by SPSS V 13.0 software using Colmogrove Smirnove, One way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The mean and standard deviation of the depth of the caries in group 1 to 5 were 194 +/- 16.43, 175 +/- 17.94, 142 +/- 9.34, 155 +/- 13.27, and 144 +/- 8.57, respectively. One way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences between the groups [P<0.001]. Tukey test showed that although there was no significant difference in the depth of the caries between groups 1 and 2 [P=0.205], it was significantly less than groups 3 to 5 [P<0.001]. There were no significant differences between the depth of the caries in group 3, 4 and 5. According to the results of the current study, the anti-caries effect of flouride_cholorhexidine was the greatest between the groups. As the anti cariogenic effect of green tea was similar to that of normal saline and significantly less than fluoride or chlorhexidine, its use as a common mouth rinse needs more research