Salivary protein changes in response to acute stress in medical residents performing advanced clinical simulations: a pilot proteomics study

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Abstract
Context: Quantitative changes of salivary proteins due to acute stress were detected. Objective: To explore protein markers of stress in saliva of eight medical residents who performed emergency medicine simulations. Materials and methods: Saliva was collected before the simulations, after the simulations, and following morning upon waking. Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), identified by mass spectrometry (MS), and relatively quantified by densitometry. Results: Salivary alpha-amylase and S–type cystatins significantly increased, while the ∼26 kDa and low-molecular weight (MW) (<10 kDa) SDS-PAGE bands exhibited changes after stress. Discussion and conclusion: Alpha-amylase and cystatins are potential salivary markers of acute stress, but further validation should be performed using larger sample populations.
Funding Information
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research (18, 84)
  • National Science Foundation (0923184)
  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE023418)

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