High salivary calcium level associated with periodontal disease in Indian subjects--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of salivary calcium level with periodontal status in a case-control study model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty adult non-smoking subjects recruited from an Indian dental educational institution were categorised into case and control groups on the basis of a full-mouth periodontal examination. The case group was comprised of 25 subjects diagnosed with chronic generalised periodontitis and the control group included 25 periodontally healthy individuals. Basic demographic data was obtained and 3 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected. Salivary calcium levels were assayed by the ion selective electrode method. RESULTS: The mean age for cases (46.6 ± 6.9 years) was significantly higher than that for controls (42.4 ± 6.3 years). The mean number of teeth for the case group (28 ± 3) was significantly lower than that for the control group (31 ± 1). The mean salivary calcium level in the case group (2.11 ± 0.24 mmol/L) was significantly higher than in the control group (1.86 ± 0.25 mmol/L) when ANCOVA for age adjustment was applied. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal disease is associated with higher salivary calcium levels than that in periodontal health, indicating that the calcium level of saliva could possibly be a risk factor for development of periodontal diseases.

Changes in serum ceruloplasmin levels with commonly used methods of contraception.

It is a well established fact that long term use of oral contraceptives is hazardous to health. The most common methods of contraception used by women in reproductive age group include use of oral contraceptives and copper «T¼. One of the causative factors for the side effects of the «pill¼ is presumed to be increase in serum cereloplasmin levels which has pro-oxidant activity. The present study involves the study of serum ceruloplasmin levels in two groups of subjects i.e. 30 women using oral contraceptive and 30 women using copper «T¼. 30 healthy females in reproductive age group were chosen as controls. It was observed that oral contraceptives increase the serum ceruloplasmin levels (p < 0.001) and the difference is highly significant as compared to no change (p < 0.1) in the groups using copper «T¼ as contraceptives.

A duality in the roles of reactive oxygen species with respect to bone metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Rampant production in skeletal abnormalities can lead to hyperoxidant stress though the production of "reactive oxygen species" (ROS) by osteoclasts, which assist in bone remodeling under physiological conditions. METHODS: Thirty cases each of post-menopausal osteoporosis, renal osteodystrophy and bone fractures constituted the test groups. Thirty healthy subjects made up the control group. Serum total alkaline phosphatase served as an index of osteoblastic activity. Serum calcium and phosphorous indicated bone remodeling status. Serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase represented the enzymatic antioxidants. RESULTS: Mean values for malondialdehyde were significantly elevated (P<0.001) in test groups, indicating enhanced osteoclastic activity. Significantly depressed (P<0.001) activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase reinforced hyperoxidant stress. Mean values of glutathione reductase remained unaltered. Diminished osteoblastic activity in post-menopausal osteoporosis was indicated by depressed alkaline phosphatase (P<0.001). Increased serum calcium (P<0.001) and decreased serum phosphorous (P<0.001) in renal osteodystrophy indicated compensatory hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that ROS have a major role to play in bone metabolism.

Serum zinc and zinc containing enzymes in diabetes mellitus.

Serum zinc and levels of certain zinc containing enzymes like 'lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and serum insulin were studied in twenty five normal and fifty non insulin dependent diabetics. Zinc estimation was done bp atomic absorption spectrophotometry, insulin by radioimmunoassay and the enzymes by kinetic method. The non insulin dependent diabetic individuals showed significant hypozincaemia (P less than 0.001) associated with significant increase in serum insulin and lactate dehydrogenase level (P less than 0.001). Malate dehydrogenase level was markedly decreased (P less than 0.001). There was no significant variation in serum total proteins, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels.