SALIVARY PARAMETERS ALTERED IN SMOKERS AND POSSIBLE CORRELATIONS WITH THE CARIOGENIC ACTIVITY

Objectives. Our research team aimed to evaluate the effects smoking has on several salivary parameters and to assess if there are any correlations between smoking and the cariogenic activity. Material and method. The present research included a total of 35 participants. Saliva was collected from every participant to the study. Salivary chloride, calcium and potassium levels, as well as salivary flux and pH were determined for all subjects. Results. Our results showed significantly lower salivary flux and pH levels in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p < 0.01). Chloride, calcium and potassium we found to have higher concentrations in smokers compared to the control group. However, a statistical significance could be found only for calcium (p = 0.02). Moreover, we were able to find in the smokers group a positive correlation in smokers between salivary chloride levels and cariogenic activity as well as a negative correlation could be found in smokers between salivary calcium levels and the cariogenic activity Conclusions. The results of the present study show that smoking alters salivary parameters and that these modifications can favour the development of dental caries

SERUM AND SALIVARY ENZYMES – POSSIBLE INDICATOR OF THE INCIDENCE OF TOOTH DECAY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Objectives. Determination of correlations between the cariogenic index, as quantifying element for the frequency of tooth decay, and some salivary and serum enzymes in patients who had been diagnosed with chronic alcoholic hepatitis. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 25 patients diagnosed with chronic alcoholic hepatitis. The following salivary enzymes were determined: AST, ALT and the AST/ALT ratio. Also, the following plasma enzymes were determined: AST, ALT, amylase, LDH, GGT, ALP, AST/ALT and GGT/ALP ratios. Results. The determined average values were: cariogenic index 1,8±0,96, salivary AST 72,52±46,21 U/L, salivary ALT 80,28±40,34 U/L, salivary AST/ALT ratio 1,03±0,63, plasma AST 115,80±79,16 U/L, plasma ALT 114,76±116,01 U/L, plasma LDH 546,88±444,08 U/L, plasma amylase 53,04±18,12U/L, plasma GGT 212,32±198,12 U/L, plasma ALP 98,76±30,88 U/L, plasma AST/ALT ratio 1,58±1,17, plasma GGT/ALP ratio 2,15±1,76. Conclusions. Statistically significant correlations were determined between the cariogenic index and the salivary AST/ALT ratio, plasma AST, plasma ALT, plasma AST/ALT ratio

Correlations of the usual blood parameters with the incidence of dental caries in a group of patients with chronic alcoholic hepatitis

Objectives. To investigate the correlations between the frequency of dental caries, assessed as cariogenic index, and a series of blood parameters in patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis of alcoholic etiology. Materials and method. The study was conducted on a total of 25 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis of alcoholic etiology. The following blood parameters were determined: blood count (erythrocyte count, total hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean red blood cell volume, mean red blood cell hemoglobin, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration), platelet count, white blood cell count (leukocyte count, neutrophils ratio, lymphocytes ratio, monocytes ratio, eosinophils ratio, basophils ratio) and glucose, urea and creatinine concentrations. Results. The mean values were: cariogenic index 1.8±0.96, erythrocytes 4.66±0.51x106/mm3, total hemoglobin concentration 14.67±1.26 g/dL, hematocrit 44.45±3.75%, mean erythrocyte volume 95.6±6.03 fL, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin 31.6±1.86 pg, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration 33.01±1.02 g/dL, platelet count 2.7±0.61x105/mm3, leukocytes 8,812±2,065.66/mm3, neutrophils ratio 63.32±8.75%, lymphocytes ratio 26.32±8.48 %, monocytes ratio 7.99±2.02 %, eosinophils ratio 1.87±1.6%, basophils ratio 0.5±0.31%, glycemia 91.52±8.38 mg/dL, urea concentration 32.12±8.44 mg/dL and creatinine 0.92±0.19 mg/dL. Conclusions. We have been able to establish statistically significant correlations between the cariogenic index and total hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration and glycemia

THE USE OF PLASMATIC AND SALIVARY PROTEIN FRACTIONS FOR ASSESSING CARIOACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE OF ALCOHOLIC ETIOLOGY

Objectives. To determine the correlations between carioactivity, quantified by the cariogenic index, and total plasma proteins, protein fractions and salivary immunoglobulins. Material and method. We conducted the study on a group of 23 patients with chronic liver disease of alcoholic etiology, who underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations. Total plasma proteins, albumin, alpha-1-globulins, alpha-2-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins, plasmatic IgG, IgA, IgM, plasma IgA/IgG and salivary immunoglobulins values were determined. Results. We determined the following mean values: cariogenic index 1.78±1.00, total plasmatic protein concentration 7.45±0.51 g/l, albumin 59.90±6.63%, α1-globulin 3.79±1.58%, α2-globulin 9.08±0.95%, β-globulin 11.44±2.80%, γ-globulin 15.79±3.42%, plasmatic IgG 14.76±3.64 g/l, plasmatic IgA 3.58±1.94 g/l, plasmatic IgA/IgG ratio 0.24±0.13, plasmatic IgM 1.43±0.65 g/l, total salivary proteins 1.25±0.85 g/l, salivary IgG 3.05±0.63 mg/dl, salivary IgA 22.18±7.33 mg/dl, salivary IgA/IgG ratio 7.31±2.60. Conclusions. We have established statistically significant correlations between the cariogenic index and the total plasma proteins, plasmatic alpha-2 fraction and plasmatic IgG