In the present study, we evaluated for the first time 8-OHdG levels in whole saliva of patients with periodontitis and assessed changes after initial periodontal treatment. Our study indicated that 8-OHdG levels in saliva appear to reflect the status of periodontal health.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between levels of a marker of oxidative stress, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), in saliva and the presence of teeth with a hopeless prognosis as a result of advanced periodontitis. Thirty-four periodontitis patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of periodontally-involved teeth of hopeless prognosis. Salivary levels of 8-OHdG in those with were significantly higher than in subjects without periodontally-involved teeth of hopeless prognosis (4.78 +/- 0.14 ng/ml and 2.35 +/- 0.18 ng/ml, respectively). We also evaluated 8-OHdG levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of teeth with advanced periodontal destruction (mean probing depth = 7.2). In this case, 8-OHdG was detected only from those periodontally-involved teeth of hopeless prognosis, and only in some cases (8 out of 18 samples). These data suggest that periodontally-involved teeth of hopeless prognosis are a major source of salivary 8-OHdG. Measurement of salivary 8-OHdG levels may prove to be useful in identifying patients with teeth of hopeless prognosis.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the salivary levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients with periodontitis using real-time PCR. EBV was detected in 16 out of 33 (48.5%) periodontitis patients and in 3 out of 20(15%) healthy subjects. The baseline mean values for bleeding on probing in EBV-positive patients were significantly higher than those in EBV-negative patients. A significant decrease in EBV levels was observed after initial periodontal treatment. Our findings indicate that levels of EBV in saliva may reflect the status of periodontal inflammation.

Several studies have demonstrated a close association between Streptococcus (S.) anginosus infection and head and neck cancer. Accumulation of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which may result from the continuous generation of reactive oxygen species associated with chronic inflammation, has been reported in human preneoplastic lesions and in cancerous tissues. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the salivary levels of S. anginosus and 8-OHdG in patients with periodontitis. Salivary levels of S. anginosus were measured by realtime PCR. S. anginosus was detected in 28 out of 38 (73.7%) of subjects. The 8-OHdG level was significantly higher in patients positive for S. anginosus than in patients negative for the bacterium. A significant decrease in S. anginosus and 8-OHdG levels was observed after initial periodontal treatment. Our findings indicate that, although the levels of S. anginosus are relatively low, there is a correlation between the salivary level of S. anginosus and 8-OHdG, and that periodontal treatment can decrease the levels of these hazard factors. (J. Oral Sci. 45, 181-184, 2003)

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