Find in Library
Search millions of books, articles, and more
Indexed Open Access Databases
Salivary Enzymatic Activity and Carious Experience in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
oleh: Raluca-Paula Vacaru, Andreea Cristiana Didilescu, Ileana Constantinescu, Ion Mărunțelu, Mihaela Tănase, Ioana Andreea Stanciu, Wendy Esmeralda Kaman, Hendrik Simon Brand
Format: | Article |
---|---|
Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2022-03-01 |
Deskripsi
Salivary biomolecules are considered important modulators of the oral microflora, with a potential subsequent impact on dental health. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between salivary enzymatic activity and carious experience in children. The carious experience of a sample of 22 school children was evaluated by calculating dmf/DMF indices, following WHO recommendations. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and salivary alpha-amylase levels, total protease activity, and matrix metalloproteinase levels (MMP-8 and MMP-9) were measured. The data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Our findings revealed no significant relationship between the investigated salivary parameters and the carious experience in permanent teeth (DMFT/DMFS scores). Carious indices scores for primary teeth (dmft and dmfs) were positively associated with MMP-8 levels (<i>r</i> = 0.62, <i>p</i> = 0.004 and r<sub>s</sub> = 0.61, <i>p</i> = 0.006, respectively) and MMP-9 levels (<i>r</i> = 0.45, <i>p</i> = 0.05 and <i>r<sub>s</sub></i> = 0.48, <i>p</i> = 0.039, respectively) and negatively associated with alpha-amylase levels (<i>r<sub>s</sub></i> = −0.54, <i>p</i> = 0.017 and <i>r<sub>s</sub></i> = −0.59, <i>p</i> = 0.006, respectively). Although with a marginal significance, PEK−054 levels positively correlated with dental caries, while for PFU−089, a negative correlation was observed. These results suggest that salivary alpha-amylase and MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels may be considered potential indicators of carious experience in children. Further studies with a prospective design are needed in order to elucidate the role of these biomolecules in caries development.