Salivary and Serum Biochemical Analysis from Patients with Chronic Renal Failure in Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare salivary and serum biochemical levels in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Methods: The sample was composed of 57 patients treated in Hemodialysis Reference Centers, from a state of Northeastern Brazilian, with age ≥21 years old with at least 3 months of hemodialysis treatment time. Serum data were obtained from records. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected. Flow rate (mL/min) was measured. Spectrophotometry was performed for the measurement of salivary levels of calcium (570 nm), urea (340 nm), and creatinine (510 nm). Statistical analysis used Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05). Results: Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates were 0.43 mL/min and 1.69 mL/min, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.001) of levels of calcium (5.41 mg/dL and 9.70 mg/dL), urea (118.03 mg/dL and 183.22 mg/dL) and creatinine (0.59 mg/dL and 9.20 mg/dL) between saliva and serum, respectively. Concerning the time of hemodialysis, salivary and serum calcium not exhibited significant association; however, serum urea (p=0.012) and serum creatinine (p=0.025) showed significant association to the time of hemodialysis. Conclusion: Salivary biochemical levels of urea, creatinine and calcium can indicate the presence of a possible chronic renal failure and the saliva demonstrated to be a potential auxiliary biofluid for clinical monitoring renal alterations.

Evaluation of Fluoride Release, pH and Microhardness of Glass Ionomer Cements

To evaluate fluoride release, pH and microhardness of glass ionomer cements (GIC). Material and Methods:Four different cements: Vidrion ® R (G1), Vitro Fil ® (G2), Maxxion ® (G3) and Magic Glass ® (G4) and a composite resin (G5 -control group) comprised the sample. Thirty specimens were manufactured (10 mm x 3 mm) and stored in deionized water. Analyses were performed after 24 hours, 7 days and 28 days. The following devices were used for measurements: fluorometer, pH meter and microhardness tester. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (α= 0.05) using the SPSS ® software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 17. Results:GICs were able to release fluoride; however, the amount released decreased with increasing immersion time (p <0.002). The pH of all products increased over time, the lowest value was identified for Magic Glass (5.93) and the highest for Maxxion (6.94) at time of 24 h. Materials showed significant decrease in surface microhardness, especially G4 for presenting the lowest recorded values (p <0.05). Conclusion:GICs arefluoride-releasing restorative materials with pH favorable to oral homeostasis and good mechanical behavior...