Analysis of the Total Antioxidant Capacity of Saliva in Smokers

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the total antioxidant capacity (TAoC) of saliva in smokers based on type of cigarette, duration and frequency of smoking. Material and Methods: 51 male smokers, aged 20-55 years were enrolled. Information regarding cigarette type and smoking duration and frequency was collected using a questionnaire. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected in the morning following fasting for 2 h, and TAoC was measured using a commercial kit. The data were evaluated through the independent t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Mean TAoC for the consumption of Kretek cigarettes was 0.29 (±0.15) and for that of non-Kretek cigarettes was 0.36 (±0.10). Mean TAoC based on smoking duration was 0.31 (±0.14) for 5-10 years and 0.27 (±0.15) for >10 years. Median TAoC based on smoking frequency was 0.23 (0.11-0.44), 0.31 (0.06-0.64), and 0.27 (0.06-0.68) for 1-5, 6-10, and 11-20 cigarettes/day. Mean TAoC of the saliva from participants who consumed Kretek cigarettes was lower than that of the saliva from those who consumed non-Kretek cigarettes (p=0.3). Mean TAoC for a duration >10 years was lower than that for a duration of 5-10 years, although the difference between these two groups was not significant (p=0.4). Conclusion: There were tendencies of lower total antioxidant capacity on smokers with kretek type cigarettes, smoking duration >10 years and frequency of 1-5 cigarettes/day. This study indicates that the type, duration, and frequency of smoking may affect the salivary total antioxidant capacity.