Aim: To provide information on the susceptibility of cigarette smokers to oral diseases. This was
achieved by assessing the degree of salivary oxidative stress markers in smokers with or without
periodontitis. We measured salivary concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), myeloperoxidase (MPx) activity, enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase
(SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx
activities) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration.
Materials and Methods: About 5 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected into plain bottles from 25
Original Research Article
Kosoko et al.; AJMAH, 3(3): 1-9, 2017; Article no.AJMAH.30749
2
newly diagnosed subjects with periodontitis, 24 smokers without periodontitis, 20 smokers with
periodontitis compared with 21 sex/age-matched apparently healthy subjects who are non-smokers
and without periodontitis. The samples were collected between 09:00 hours and 11:00
hours at least 1hour after eating or washing of mouth and concentrations of salivary MDA, H2O2
and GSH and salivary MPx, SOD, CAT, GST and GPx activites were determined
spectrophotometrically.
Results: Reduced salivary MDA concentration and elevated CAT activity were observed in nonsmokers
with periodontitis compared with non-smokers without periodontitis. Salivary CAT activity
was higher in smokers without periodontitis compared with non-smokers with periodontitis. In
contrast, salivary CAT activity was reduced in smokers with periodontitis compared with smokers
without periodontitis. Salivary GSH was significantly reduced in smokers with periodontitis
compared with non-smokers without periodontitis.
Conclusion: Reduced CAT activity may explain susceptibility of cigarette smokers to oral diseases
or progression of periodontitis.
Clinical Significance: Cigarette smoking contributes to the progression of periodontitis and oral
diseases.