Can Salivary Biomarkers Be Used as Predictors of Dental Caries in Young Adolescents?

BACKGROUND Identifying caries predictors in the subpopulation at risk is one of the preconditions for developing effective caries prevention measures. The present exploratory study aimed to examine the significance of socio-demographic characteristics, dietary-hygiene habits, salivary pH, and salivary antimicrobial HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides as potential caries risk predictors in children ages 11-13 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective 1-year study enrolled 213 children ages 11-13 years. The subjects underwent a dental examination and their mothers were interviewed. Unstimulated saliva was collected from the subjects to determine its pH value, as well as the salivary levels of HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides in 85 of the subjects. After 12 months, the 1-year caries incidence rate was recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the ability of selected variables to predict caries risk. RESULTS The univariable logistic regression analysis determined that the most significant independent caries risk predictors were: sex (female) (OR=2.132, p=0.007), mothers' education (OR=1.986, p=0.020), salivary pH (OR=0.270, p=0.043), oral hygiene index (OR=1.886, p=0.015), and daily tooth brushing frequency (OR=0.565, p=0.042). The multivariable model showed that sex and oral hygiene-related variables were the most important caries predictors. CONCLUSIONS Salivary HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides were not found to have a significant predictive value. Therefore, socio-demographic and oral hygiene variables remain important caries predictors in early adolescents, suggesting the importance of the mechanical control of biofilm as the key measure for preventing caries. However, there is still a need for effective caries risk biomarkers, and additional research is needed in this area of caries risk prediction.

Determination of Salivary Myeloperoxidase, Immunoglobulin E, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α after Complete Denture Insertion.

OBJECTIVE: To detect activities of salivary myeloperoxidase (MPO) and concentrations of salivary tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as indicators of inflammatory reaction and salivary immunoglobulin E as an indicator of allergic reaction after complete insertion of acrylic dentures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Complete dentures were made for a uniform group of elderly patients, and saliva samples were taken immediately before they were given to the patients, as well as 2, 3, 7, and 30 days after insertion of the dentures, with simultaneous monitoring of changes in the oral mucosa. RESULTS: After 7 and 30 days of wearing upper and lower complete dentures, nonsignificant increases in salivary MPO and TNF-α were proven to be indicators of inflammation. No changes were observed in the values of salivary immunoglobulin E during a 30-day observational period, which excluded the appearance of allergic reactions to acrylic materials in the tested group of patients. CONCLUSION: A nonsignificant increase in the levels of MPO was observed on day 7; it decreased after 30 days. TNF-α also tended to increase in a nonsignificant manner.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the Salvia sclarea L. ethanolic extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced periodontitis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia sclarea L., clary, is an aromatic plant traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. Although it has been primarily used as a stomachic, there are data on traditional use of S. sclarea as an agent against gingivitis, stomatitis and aphthae. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the S. sclarea ethanolic extract on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontitis in rats from the immunological and histopathological standpoint. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Periodontal inflammation in rats was induced by repeated injections of LPS from Escherichia coli into the interdental papilla between the first and second right maxillary molars. The extract was administered two times a day by oral gavage (200mg/kg body weight). The inflammatory status was assessed by the measurements of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of gingival tissues and descriptive analysis of histological sections of periodontium. Chemical characterization of the extract was determined using high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC). Antioxidant activity of the extract was estimated with two in vitro complementary methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ß-carotene/linoleic acid models. RESULTS: Treatment with S. sclarea extract, compared to the untreated group of the rats, significantly diminished the process of inflammation decreasing the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, reducing the gingival tissue lesions and preserving bone alveolar resorption. Considerably smaller number of inflammatory cells and larger number of fibroblasts was noticed. The administration of the extract three days earlier did not have significant preventive effects. Rosmarinic acid was the predominant compound in the extract. The extract showed strong antioxidant effects in both test systems. CONCLUSIONS: S. sclarea extract manifested anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-induced periodontitis suggesting that it may have a role as a therapeutic agent in periodontal diseases. Having in mind that overproduction of reactive oxygen species is connected to periodontitis, the strong antioxidant capacity may be contributable to anti-inflammatory properties of the extract.