Dental caries and total antioxidant status of unstimulated mixed whole saliva in patients aged 16-23 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the studies performed was an attempt to establish a potential relationship between total antioxidant status of unstimulated whole saliva, patients' ages, oral hygiene status and dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 120 non-smokers. Mean age of the study subjects was 18.40 ± 1.74 years. Clinical examination was performed to evaluate the state of hard and soft oral tissues, and oral hygiene status. Additionally, biochemical tests and statistical studies were carried out. Laboratory examinations involved measuring the total antioxidant status level in supernatant using the Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) test from Randox. In statistical analysis, Spearman Rang correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann - Whitney test, logistic regression and ROC curve were used. The analysis was conducted using Statistica 9 software. RESULTS: Mean D, M, F and DMFT values were 4.04 ± 3.96; 0.09 ± 0.34; 5.00 ± 3.90; 9.05 ± 5.30, respectively. Mean OHI - S was 0.95 ± 0.76. Mean TAS value in the studied population was 0.82 ± 0.26 mmol/l. In the group of subjects without active dental caries, the level of the total antioxidant potential was higher, with a value of 0.89 ± 0.16 mmol/l, and in the study group subjects who had tooth decay it was 0.80 ± 0.28 mmol/l. It was found that TAS was higher in younger subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted studies seem to allow for the following conclusions:TAS level in the supernatant of unstimulated whole saliva decreases with age; TAS level in the supernatant of unstimulated whole saliva is the highest in patients without caries, and the oral hygiene status does not have significant influence on TAS.

The relationship between the levels of SigA, lactoferrin and alpha(1) proteinase inhibitor in saliva and permanent dentition caries in 15-year-olds.

A group of 15-year-olds were clinically examined for general state of dentition and level of dental caries. Unstimulated whole saliva from the subjects was laboratory tested to determine the levels of lactoferrin, Secretory IgA (SIgA) and alpha1 proteinase inhibitor. A significant relationship was found between the decayed surface index and the levels of lactoferrin, SIgA and alpha1 proteinase inhibitor in the unstimulated saliva. The decayed surface index rose with increases in the levels of lactoferrin, SIgA and alpha1 proteinase inhibitor, the relationship with alpha1 proteinase inhibitor being strongest.

[Laminin levels in patients with ectopic pregnancy]. / Zachowanie sie lamininy w surowicy krwi u pacjentek z objawami ciazy pozamacicznej.

Serum laminin (sL--by means of ELISA method) was evaluated in 17 patients with tubal pregnancy (TP) and 25 healthy control subjects. In patients with ruptured TP sL was significantly elevated as compared to both the controls and the patients with unruptured TP (p < 0.001). The obtained results suggest the usefulness of sL measurements in clinical management of patients with symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.

[Levels of fetal and plasma fibronectin in patients with cervical incompetence]. / Poziom fibronektyny plodowej i osoczowej u pacjentek z objawami niewydolnosci ciesniowo-szyjkowej.

In 45 gravidae (below 24 weeks) fetal fibronectin (fF) was measured in cervico-vaginal discharge and plasma fibronectin (pF) was evaluated in venous blood. Twenty women had cervical incompetence (CI) diagnosed and 25 healthy gravidae served as a control. The fF level in patients with CI (0.073 +/- 0.014 mg/ml) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that found in the control group (0.058 +/- 0.011 mg/ml). The same was true for pF (p < 0.001). A diagnostic value of fibronectin levels in patients suspected of cervical incompetence is suggested.

[Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1 alpha, Il-6, TNF-alpha) in the semen plasma of male partners of infertile couples]. / Poziom cytokin prozapalnych (IL-1 alpha, IL-6, TNF-alpha) w plazmie nasienia mezczyzn z par nie posiadajacych potomstwa.

In semen plasma of 46 male partners of infertile couples the levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 alpha, IL-6, TNF-alpha were quantified. The studied group was divided according to the number of leucocytes in an ejaculate into two subgroups (> 10(6)/ml and below 10(6)/ml). The levels of the studied cytokines were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in patients with higher leucocyte count in the ejaculate. Testing the immunologic markers may be helpful in diagnostic process considering male partners of infertile couples.

[Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in women with uterine myomas]. / Poziom cytokin prozapalnych w surowicy krwi kobiet z miesniakami macicy.

The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, namely IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined in blood serum of 26 women with uterine myomas and in 20 healthy controls. A significantly elevated concentration of IL-1 alpha was found in patients with uterine myomas. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were insignificantly higher in women with myomas. The obtained results indicate the possible role of IL-1 alpha in the pathogenesis of uterine myomas--further studies are needed to elucidate the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the proliferative disorders of myometrium.

[Fibronectin pattern in the first and second trimester of normal pregnancy]. / Profil fibronektyny w pierwszym i drugim trymestrze ciazy fizjologicznej.

Studied were 25 healthy gravidae in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Plasma fibronectin (pFN) was assayed in maternal blood serum and the fetal fibronectin (fFN) was quantified in cervico-vaginal secretion. The highest level of fFN was found in the cervico-vaginal secretion of the 1st trimester gravidae while the pFN levels gradually raised to reach its peak between 21 and 24 gestational weeks.

[Fibronectin levels in threatened abortion]. / Znaczenie fibronektyny w poronieniu zagrazajacym.

Studied were 25 healthy gravidae in the first or second trimester of pregnancy and 28 women with threatened abortion (TA). Plasma fibronectin (pFN) was assayed in maternal blood serum and the fetal fibronectin (fFN) was quantified in cervico-vaginal secretion. Patients with imminent abortion had significantly elevated levels of both pFN and fFN as compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancy. Within the TA group of patients, vaginal bleeding and/or trophoblast was associated with significant increase in fibronectin levels.

Essential metal and immunoglobulin levels in women and neonates with PROM.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the essential metals' levels in the blood of both mothers and neonates with premature rupture of the fetal membranes and to examine the changes produced by PROM in immunoglobulins' concentrations. Metals' levels in blood samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while the quantitative estimation of the immune proteins in both maternal and umbilical blood sera was performed by a single radial immunodiffusion. Zinc level in blood samples of mothers from the examined group was significant lower than this one evaluated in controls while the other concentrations of metals did not differ significant. We found the significant higher level of cord blood IgA in neonates from PROM+ group comparing with the PROM- group. Low zinc level in maternal blood which was found in examined PROM+ group might suggest that it constitutes one of the causes leading premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The response of the humoral immune system in PROM+ neonates seems to be stimulated by the premature rupture of the fetal membranes.

The associations between serum alpha-1-antitrypsin level and the whole blood contents of trace metals in normal women in reproductive age.

The concentration of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A-1-AT) in the blood serum was measured by single radial immunodiffusion in 21 healthy women in reproductive age. Simultaneously the whole blood levels of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum A-1-AT correlated significantly with blood copper (r = 0.55, p less than 0.01). The importance of quantitative relations between "acute phase reactants" in blood serum and the blood trace metals is discussed from the point of view of reproductive medicine.