Comparison of Salivary pH, Buffering Capacity and Alkaline Phosphatase in Smokers and Healthy Non-Smokers : Retrospective cohort study

Objectives: Saliva contains alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—a key intracellular enzyme related to destructive processes and cellular damage—and has buffering capacity (BC) against acids due to the presence of bicarbonate and phosphate ions. Smoking may have deleterious effects on the oral environment due to pH changes which can affect ALP activity. This study aimed to evaluate the salivary pH, BC and ALP activity of male smokers and healthy non-smokers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study took place between August 2012 and December 2013. A total of 251 healthy male non-smokers and 259 male smokers from Hamadan, Iran, were selected. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each participant and pH and BC were determined using a pH meter. Salivary enzymes were measured by spectrophotometric assay. Results: Mean salivary pH (7.42 ± 0.48 and 7.52 ± 0.43, respectively; P = 0.018) and BC (3.41 ± 0.54 and 4.17 ± 0.71; P = 0.001) was significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. Mean ALP levels were 49.58 ± 23.33 IU/L among smokers and 55.11 ± 27.85 IU/L among non-smokers (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Significantly lower pH, BC and ALP levels were observed among smokers in comparison to a healthy control group. These salivary alterations could potentially be utilised as biochemical markers for the evaluation of oral tissue function and side-effects among smokers. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to evaluate the effects of smoking on salivary components

Comparison of total antioxidant capacity of saliva in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic pregnant women

Pregnancy is considered a stressful event, results in higher levels of oxidative stress and considerable changes in physiological and metabolic functions such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Due to the cumulative effect of antioxidants and considering the controversies in this area, this study was undertaken to investigate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of saliva in pregnant women whit gestational diabetes in comparison to non-diabetic pregnant women. In this cross-sectional study (2015-16), a total of 31 women with a diagnosis of GDM and 59 non-diabetic pregnant women were included in the diabetic and control groups, respectively. Salivary samples were collected by spitting method. When all samples were collected, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured with the use of a commercial kit following the manufacturer?s instructions. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney test using SPSS 18. Average TAC level in the saliva of women with gestational diabetes was 0.10 ± 0.14, with 0.04 ± 0.11 in non-diabetic pregnant women. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney test showed that this difference was statistically significant (P=0.024). Under the limitations of the present study it can be concluded that there is an increase in oxidative stresses during pregnancy, followed by an increase in the total levels of salivary antioxidants to counteract such stresses. Therefore, it is expected that determining the salivary antioxidant levels during pregnancy can be an alternative technique for the early diagnosis of diabetes

Comparing Serum and Salivary Levels of Vitamin D in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Healthy Individuals

Statement of the Problem: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most prevalent ulcerative condition of the oral mucosa. Many studies have emphasized on immunologic factors as the reason of inducing RAS; however, the exact etiologic cause of RAS has not been identified yet. Vitamin D has an endocrine function and regulatory effects on the immune system. It has potential therapeutic effects on autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and neoplasms. Vitamin D deficiency has been detected in some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arteritis. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the serum and salivary levels of vitamin D in patients with RAS and healthy individuals. Materials and Method: In this cross sectional study, patients with RAS, referring to the Department of Oral Medicine, Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were evaluated after taking medical history, clinical examinations, and completing an informed consent form. The serum and salivary vitamin D levels were compared between case (n=26) and control (n=26) groups. Results: The mean serum vitamin D levels in the case and control groups were 33.0.7±12.41 and 50.89±9.30 (ng/dL), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). On the other hand, the mean salivary vitamin D levels in the case and control groups were 17.36± 8.01 and 20.79±6.31 (ng/dL), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p= 0.09). In addition, the correlation between the serum and salivary levels of vitamin D was 56%, being statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The serum levels of vitamin D in patients with RAS were significantly less than that in healthy individuals; however, there were no significant differences in salivary vitamin D levels between patients with RAS and healthy individuals. In addition, there was a significant and positive correlation between serum and salivary levels of vitamin D in all patients

Efficacy of Hypozalix spray and propolis mouthwash for prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in leukemic patients: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background. Oral mucositis is the chief complication of head and neck chemotherapy. This study was conducted to evaluate Hypozalix artificial saliva and propolis mouthwash efficacy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in leukemic patients. Methods. The present double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 72 patients undergoing chemotherapy. The patients were assigned to 3 groups. In the control group, CHX mouthwash and fluconazole were used by the subjects. In groups 1 and 2, Hypozalix and propolis mouthwashes were added to the combination therapy used in the control group. The results were compared between the three groups after 14 days. Results. Mean score A was significantly higher than mean score B in children (P = 0.001). In contrast, mean score A was significantly lower than mean score B in young adults (P = 0.003). Conclusion. Use of Hypozalix spray or propolis mouthwash in association with CHX mouthwash and fluconazole simultaneously at the start of chemotherapy resulted in a decrease in chemotherapy complications after 14 days. In many cases the use of propolis mouthwash yielded better results and the patients exhibited a greater tendency to continue to use it

Comparing Vitamin D Serum Levels in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Healthy Subjects

Statement of the Problem: Lichen planus disease is a chronic inflammatory lesion without a known etiology. Recent studies have indicated the role of vitamin D on immune system and proposed its anti-inflammatory effects. Purpose: This study aimed to compare vitamin D serum levels in patients with oral lichen planus and healthy subjects. Materials and Method: In this case‒control study, 18 patients suffering from oral lichen planus referred to the Department of Oral Medicine, Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry were chosen as the case group and 18 healthy people were chosen as the control group. A 5-mL blood sample was taken from all subjects and the subjects’ vitamin D serum levels were assessed with a vitamin D total (25-hydroxy vitamin D) kit by employing the electrochemiluminescence technique. The results were analyzed and compared by using SPSS17 statistic software. p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean vitamin D level in serum of patients with oral lichen planus was 30.7±20.38ng/ml and in healthy subjects was 36.45± 15.33ng/ml, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.346). Conclusion: The difference between the level of vitamin D in the serum of patients suffering from oral lichen planus and healthy individuals was not significant

Comparison of Academic Achievement of Daily Students, Further Students and Aras Campus of Dentistry School of Tabriz University

Background and Objectives: One of the hot issues of concerns of many young people and families is the university entrance exam or Concours . The aim of our study was to compare the academic achievement of students in three categories: daily, Aras campus and post-graduate to each other in Tabriz dentistry school and search the relationship between university admission and their academic achievement.Methods: A total of 45 students of dentistry school of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, including 15 daily quotanbspnbsp students accepted for university entrance examination, 15 students were admitted to Aras campus, 15 post-Graduate students enrolled the study. surgery 4 theoretical , surgery 4 practical, children 3 theoretical, children 3 practical, restorative 3 theoretical, restorative 3 practical courses scores were compared. Scores were analyzednbsp using Chi-square tests and ANOVA. The significance level in this study was definednbsp pgenbsp 0.05.Results: The mean scores of surgery 4 theoretical and practical, children 3 theoretical and practical and theoretical and practical and restorative 3, ordinary students had the highest mean scoresnbsp and post-graduate students had the lowest mean scorenbsp and the three groups had statistically significant differences.Conclusion: Ordinary admissions of Concours during study at university have better academic achievement than admissions ofnbsp University of Medical Sciences campuses