Gingival fluid and saliva concentrations of selected non-enzymatic antioxidants in periodontitis

Abstract

Background. Due to their low specificity, non-enzymatic antioxidants play a significant role in the protection of organisms against free radicals. They are normally sourced from the diet, and independently react with oxidizing molecules and their products.Objectives. The study aimed to determine the concentrations of selected non-enzymatic antioxidants (uric acid (UA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and polyphenols) in the gingival fluid and saliva of patients diagnosed with periodontitis according to the current criteria. Material and methods.This prospective case-control study included 50 patients with periodontitis, who were divided into 2 groups depending on disease severity, along with 25 healthy controls. Unstimulated saliva, stimulated saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from all subjects, and nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations were determined.Results. Significantly lower concentrations of all tested non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in the gingival fluid as well as in the unstimulated and stimulated saliva of patients with periodontitis (p < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of GSH was a parameter that differentiated the various degrees of periodontitis (p < 0.05). A significantly lower concentration of GSH was found in the stimulated saliva of patients with moderate progression as compared to those with fast progression of the disease (p < 0.05). Conclusions.The continuation of research on the GSH concentrations in the gingival fluid and saliva may be useful in the context of biomarkers for periodontitis progression.

Correlation of Redondovirus and Entamoeba gingivalis Detections in the Human Oral Cavity Suggests That This Amoeba Is Possibly the Redondovirus Host

“…Finally, other factors involved in periodontitis should also continue being studied. Among them are non-enzymatic antioxidants that notably comprise reduced glutathione, uric acid, and polyphenols and are normally supplied by the diet [ 31 ]. Indeed, their significantly lower concentrations were reported in the gingival fluid and saliva from periodontitis patients, and a reduced glutathione concentration was correlated with the degree and progression of the periodontitis [ 31 ].…”

Review of salivary antioxidants and their barriers

“…In addition, SOD's active center can be deactivated by superoxide radicals when they are present in excessive amounts. 15,16 This line of antioxidant defense, therefore, becomes exhausted and less efficient at protecting cells from ROS. It has also been observed that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, an oral pathogen, secretes a leukotoxin that can bind to the copper and zinc isozymes of SOD, inhibiting its activity against ROS.…”

“…An example of this is the decreased levels of uric acid and glutathione in individuals with periodontitis compared with healthy controls. 4,16,18 A healthy person is more likely to have a higher level of antioxidants than a person with periodontitis. 32,33 This reveals the suitability of using antioxidants in saliva as a diagnostic marker to determine the stage of oxidative stress in a person's oral cavity, providing an indicator of the severity of deterioration in a patient's periodontal condition.…”