Salivary 8-hydroxyguanosine levels in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis.

This case-controlled clinical trial was performed on the salivary 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Subjects (N = 40) with periodontitis (smokers and non-smokers) and with clinically healthy conditions (smokers and non-smokers) were assigned to this study. At baseline, clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth and clinical attachment levels) were evaluated. Saliva samples were obtained pre- and post-treatment to quantify the 8-OHdG levels using Elisa technique. Subjects diagnosed with chronic periodontitis with smoking habit (CPs) and non-smokers (CPns) received scaling and root planing. In clinically healthy subjects with smoking habit (CHs) and non-smokers (CHns), only oral hygiene tutoring was performed. All clinical measurements and salivary collection were repeated in a 3-month recall interval. Data were analyzed using Anova, Tukey post hoc test and Mann-Whitney 'U' tests (P < 0.05). At baseline, CPs and CPns groups showed significantly higher PI, GI, PD and CAL values than those of CHns and CHs (P < 0.001). Baseline salivary levels of 8-OHdG were significantly higher in CPs group (14.775 pg/mL) (P < 0.001) compared to the other groups. All clinical parameters in chronic periodontitis group improved at the 3rd month recall interval, however, with regards to 8-OHdG values, the CP smoker category still had a higher level compared to CP non-smoker. This study reflects an on-going periodontal destructive status in smokers and salivary 8-OHdG levels could be recognized as an oxidative biomarker for determining periodontal tissue destruction.

The effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on pentraxin 3 levels in smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva of smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis and to compare these levels before and after initial nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Forty subjects were divided into 2 groups with chronic periodontitis (smokers and nonsmokers) and 2 clinically healthy groups (smokers and nonsmokers). At baseline, clinical periodontal parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and clinical attachment levels, were assessed. Saliva and GCF samples were procured to quantify the PTX3 levels. All subjects with periodontitis, smokers and nonsmokers, received scaling and root planing. The 2 treated groups were examined 2 weeks after therapy, and any changes in the clinical parameters or PTX3 levels were recorded. At baseline, PTX3 levels in both groups of patients with chronic periodontitis were found to be significantly higher (smokers had the highest level, followed by nonsmokers) than levels in both groups of clinically healthy subjects (nonsmokers, followed by smokers) (P < 0.05). Five patients with chronic periodontitis (3 smokers and 2 nonsmokers) were lost to follow-up and therefore excluded from the statistical analysis. Scaling and root planing led to an improvement in the clinical parameters and a statistically significant reduction of PTX3 levels (P < 0.05) in both chronic periodontitis groups at the 2-week follow-up, but the changes were greater in the smokers than in the nonsmokers. In the present study, smoking was found to play a contributory role in the alteration of PTX3 levels in GCF and saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis. The role of PTX3 as a prognostic tool for resolution of periodontal inflammation still remains obscure.

Protein thiols and butryrylcholinestrase in saliva of oral cancer patients.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies recognized. Biomarkers which can predict presence of cancer and its progression can help in better management of these disorders. Over production of lipid peroxidation byproducts and disturbances in antioxidant defense system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases including oral cancer. Studies have shown a correlation of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), with tumourigenesis, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Earlier we have observed a significant elevation in plasma BChE and protein thiols in oral cancer patients which correlated well with stages of cancer. As it was not clear whether the above markers will be altered in saliva of oral cancer patients this study was undertaken. Institutional Ethics Committee gave permission to carry out this study. Total of 55 subjects comprising healthy controls (n = 30) and biopsy proven oral cancer patients (n = 25) consented to participate in this study. Salivary samples from cases were taken before any definitive treatment. Protein thiols and BChE were estimated in salivary samples using validated assay methods. Oral cancer patients had a significant increase in pre-treatment salivary BChE levels (p ≤ 0.001) and a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.001) in salivary thiols as compared to respective values in controls. Salivary protein thiols and BChE may have a role in pathophysiology of oral cancer. Saliva can be used as a potential non-invasive screening tool in oral cancer patients.