Salivary thromboplastic activity in diabetics and healthy controls.

Coagulative function of saliva derives from the thromboplastin found in saliva. It may establish hemostasis in the mouth. Salivary disfunction and changes in salivary composition and are frequent complications of diabetes. This study investigated the influence of some local etiologic and systemic factors on salivary thromboplastic activity (STA) in diabetics. In this study, cytological smears and biochemical tests were used. STA was measured by Quick's one stage method, serum glucose by the glucose oxidase method, and salivary protein by the method of Lowry. STA was almost the same in the diabetic and control groups. The only statistically significant difference within the diabetic group was found to be due to antibiotic usage. STA, i.e. clotting time, was 30% longer (114 s) ( p<0.05) and salivary protein (4.07 mg ml(-1)) ( p<0.1) was lower in diabetics not taking antibiotics than in those taking them. No such differences were observed in the healthy controls. Significant linear correlations ( p<0.05) with respect to STA were with salivary protein in the control group (r=0.61) and in the diabetic group (r=0.51) and with antibiotic usage (r=0.29), with leukocyte cell count (r=0.27) in the diabetic group. It can be concluded that salivary cells, proteins and antibiotic usage are important for STA.

Mycological and cytological examination of oral candidal carriage in diabetic patients and non-diabetic control subjects: thorough analysis of local aetiologic and systemic factors.

In this study, 55 diabetic patients and 45 non-diabetic control subjects were examined to determine oral candidal carriage state. The influence of some local aetiologic and systemic factors such as: salivary flow rate and pH, heredity, alcohol drinking, smoking habits, antimicrobial therapy, wearing of denture, burning sensation, dry mouth, taste alteration and tooth brushing habit on candidal carriage rate were investigated. Imprint culture, cytological smears and biochemical tests were used. Oral carrier rate and density of Candida species were non-significantly higher in the diabetic patients than in the non-diabetic control subjects. This increase was confirmed cytologically too. In both groups, Candida albicans was found to be a predominant species on tongue dorsum. Cigarette and alcohol habits of men were higher while tooth brushing habit was less than in women in diabetic and control groups. Salivary flow rate and pH values of diabetic patients were significantly lower while serum glucose values were significantly higher than of non-diabetic controls. The rate of diabetic patients suffering from dry mouth and having diabetic heredity in the family were significantly higher than control subjects. The candidal colonization was higher and keratinization was lower while diabetic treatment tended from diet and oral antidiabetic towards insulin. The decrease in salivary pH, the increase in serum glucose and wearing denture were correlated with the increased rate and density of C. albicans in both groups. Keratinization was also accompanied with the increase in leucocytes. In diabetic group, positive correlations were found between antimicrobial therapy and C. glabrata carriage; the increase in leucocytes and C. albicans carriage; the increase in keratinization and alcohol habit; serum glucose and smoking habit; dry mouth complaint and antimicrobial therapy. There was a negative correlation between salivary flow rate and C. albicans carriage. In control group a positive correlation was found between antimicrobial therapy and keratinization.

Evaluation of salivary sialic acid level and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

In this study, our aim was to determine whether or not type 1 diabetes mellitus affects salivary sialic acid level and SOD activity. For this purpose, unstimulated saliva specimen was collected. Saliva sialic acid level and SOD activity were measured by the methods of Warren and Sun, respectively. We found significantly decline in salivary sialic acid level and SOD activity. The decrease of salivary sialic acid level in type 1 diabetes may be due to changes in the activities of the enzymes taking part of in the synthesis and catabolism of sialic acid. The main reason for the decrease of salivary SOD activity may be increased glycation of the enzyme and/or deleterious effect of increased free oxygen radicals by glycated proteins on SOD activity in diabetes. We conclude the decline both in sialic acid and SOD in saliva may be a possible factor leading to oral complications of diabetes mellitus.

Serum nickel levels of diabetic patients and healthy controls by AAS with a graphite furnace.

In this study, serum nickel levels of diabetic patients and healthy controls were determined by AAS with a graphite furnace. The serum nickel concentrations were found to be 1.15 +/- 1.89 micrograms/L in healthy controls and 0.82 +/- 0.74 microgram/L in diabetics. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.13). The relationship of nickel levels to diabetes type and duration, diabetic complications and treatment, sex, age, and heredity was investigated. However, again no significant differences were found, nor was there any correlation between serum nickel levels and blood sugar, HBa1c, fructosamine, sialic acid levels, and age.