Daytime of sampling, tooth-brushing and ascorbic acid influence
salivary thiobarbituric acid reacting substances – A potential clinical
marker of gingival status
Affiliations: Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, and
Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak republic | Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, and
Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius
University, Bratislava, Slovak republic
Note: [] Corresponding author: Peter Celec, MD, Dipl. Ing., BSc., PhD,
Galbavého3, 841 01 Bratislava, Slovakia. E-mail: petercelec@gmail.com;
URL: www.biomed.szm.com
Abstract: Background. Salivary thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS)
have been previously shown to correlate with the impairment of gingival tissue.
Although the details on the origin and the composition of this heterogeneous
group of compounds in saliva are unknown, the potential clinical usefulness
makes necessary the studies of factors influencing the salivary TBARS levels.
Aim. To observe the effects of daily dynamics, tooth-brushing and
ascorbic acid administration on salivary TBARS levels. Subjects and methods. Self-collected samples were obtained from 10
young healthy men collecting samples in the morning, in the afternoon and in
the evening during 2 consecutive days. Ascorbic acid (250 mg) was administered
orally after the last sampling on day 1 and before every sampling on day 2.
Additional sampling was performed before and after tooth-brushing. TBARS levels
in saliva specimens were detected spectrofluorometrically. Sialic acid content
was measured using a modified method of Warren. Results. Salivary TBARS levels vary significantly during a day
(p < 0.001) with highest concentrations in the morning. Both, tooth-brushing
(p < 0.05) and short-term antioxidative treatment with ascorbic acid (p <
0.005) decrease salivary TBARS levels. Sialic acid content of saliva is not
influenced significantly by any of the investigated factors. Conclusion. TBARS levels in saliva are affected by daytime of
sampling, tooth-brushing and ascorbic acid pre-treatment. These results must be
considered in clinical research using salivary TBARS levels. Sialic acid seems
not to be a major component of TBARS in saliva. Further studies should clarify
the molecular compounds of salivary TBARS and uncover the role of oral
microbial factors.
