Jolanta Ochocińska

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical and antibacterial properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 menopausal women and 22 premenopausal women assigned to the control group. Laboratory analyses included the assessment of unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH, concentration of total protein, lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium. Only participants with clinically healthy periodontal tissues were included in the study. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate, total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium; however, no statistically significant differences for pH, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA values were found. The unstimulated salivary flow rate parameter in the study group was significantly lower than in premenopausal women. Concentrations of total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium in saliva of menopausal women were distinctly higher than in the control group. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate a distinct alteration in salivary homeostasis characterized by significantly reduced salivary flow and increased concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphate, and total protein between menopausal and premenopausal women. It suggests that menopause may predominantly affect the quantitative secretion and physicochemical composition of saliva rather than causing a generalized impairment of its antimicrobial and immune components. Longitudinal studies that control for age and other relevant factors, including menopausal duration, hormone therapy, and periodontal status, and that evaluate both salivary concentrations and individual analyte output rates are needed to clarify which salivary changes are independently associated with menopause and to determine their clinical relevance to oral health.

Hypercholesterolemia (Hch) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, manifesting with symptoms that vary depending on damage to specific brain regions. Hch triggers inflammatory responses and cell death. However, the progression of these processes in relation to the duration of Hch and the location of pathology in the central nervous system remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate (1) the impact of age and duration of Hch on neuroinflammatory responses and programmed cell death in the brain and (2) the intensity of these processes in various brain areas during Hch. In this study, we used 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old male Apo E^−/−/LDLR^−/− double-knockout mice and age-matched wild-type C57BL/6 mice (control group). Concentrations of cytokines IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-6, as well as apoptotic mediators AIF and Cas-3, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the whole brain and separately in the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), hippocampus (HIP), and striatum (STR). The results showed that the Hch-induced release of cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, decreased expression of IL-4, and elevated level of apoptotic markers AIF and Cas-3 correlated with Hch duration. The inflammatory response and expression of apoptotic markers were more pronounced in the HIP and STR compared to the PFCx. Our results indicate a correlation between the neurodegenerative effects of Hch and its duration and highlight the varying susceptibility of different brain areas to Hch-induced damage. Graphical Abstract Hypercholesterolemia (Hch)-induced inflammatory response and programmed cell death activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), hippocampus (HIP), and striatum (STR) of 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old, Apo E^−/−/LDLR^−/− double-knockout mice. In three age-groups the Hch-induced response involved release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6), a decrease of anti-inflammatory (IL-4) cytokine level, and activation of programmed cell death markers (AIF and Cas-3). The inflammatory response and expression of apoptotic markers were more pronounced in the HIP and STR, compared to the PFCx.

(1) Background: Electronic cigarettes are gaining more popularity not only among cigarettes smokers. Firstly, e-cigarettes were perceived as less harmful than traditional cigarettes, however, nowadays, they are arousing more controversy. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of e-cigarette usage on selected physicochemical properties of saliva. (2) Methods: The study population included 128 patients: 40 patients using e-cigarettes, 39 patients smoking traditional cigarettes, and 49 non-smoking patients (non-smokers). Laboratory tests involved verification of saliva values of pH and concentration of total protein, calcium, and phosphates. (3) Results: Among e-cigarette users, the value of pH was lower and the concentration of total protein, calcium, and phosphates was higher than in the group of non-smokers. Statistically significant differences were observed in relation to calcium. Among traditional cigarette smokers, the value of pH was lower, concentrations of total protein and phosphates were higher than in the group of non-smokers. Statistically significant differences were observed in relation to total protein. (4) Conclusions: Saliva of e-cigarette users presents changes in physicochemical composition in comparison to traditional cigarette smokers and non-smokers, however, statistically significant differences were observed only in calcium concentration. Further longitudinal studies on a larger study group should be conducted to assess the effect of observed changes in oral health.

The balance between reactive oxygen species production and the activity of antioxidant systems present in saliva is an important element in maintaining oral environment homeostasis. E-cigarettes adversely affect the oral cavity and their cytotoxic effect is related to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of using electronic cigarettes on antioxidant capacity of saliva. The study involved 110 subjects (35 e-cigarettes users, 33 traditional cigarettes smokers and 42 non-smokers). Laboratory analysis involved quantitation of uric acid, hypoxanthine, xanthine, TAOS (total antioxidant status) and TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) in saliva. Lower values for TAOS and TEAC were observed among e-cigarettes users and traditional cigarettes smokers in comparison to non-smokers. Uric acid concentration tended to be higher among e-cigarettes users while no differences in hypoxanthine and xanthine saliva concentrations were observed. Electronic cigarettes usage affects antioxidant capacity of saliva to the same extent as traditional cigarettes, when comparing smokers to non-smokers. Further longitudinal studies on a larger study group are needed to assess the effect of changes in antioxidant status on oral health.

The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 9 menopausal women and 15 women of the control group. Laboratory tests included the determination of pH saliva, salivary flow rate, and concentrations of lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A, and ionized calcium. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations; however, no statistically significant differences for pH and concentrations of lactoferrin and immunoglobulin A were found. The salivary flow rate in the study group was significantly lower compared to that in premenopausal women. In relation to lysozyme, statistically significant differences were found between control group and menopausal women to the disadvantage of the latter. However, the concentration of ionized calcium in the saliva of menopausal women was distinctly higher than in the saliva of the control group. Conclusion: The saliva of menopausal women appeared significantly different from that of the control group. Differences in physicochemical parameters such as salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations were observed. These differences in saliva properties observed in menopause can potentially affect the oral environment of women in this particular period, possibly increasing the risk of some pathological changes in the oral cavity and consequently indicating the need to take special care of this group of female patients in order to help them maintain proper oral health. Dentists and gynecologists should be aware of the problems associated with menopause and need to provide these women complete health care, including dental care as an integral part.

The aim of this study was to estimate changes in selected physicochemical properties of saliva collected from users of electronic cigarettes. Methods: The study population consisted of 120 patients (40 users of electronic cigarettes, 40 smokers of traditional cigarettes and 40 non-smokers). Laboratory tests included verification of saliva amount of lysozyme, lactoferrin and IgA. Results: Among e-cigarette users, statistically significant differences were observed in values of lysozyme and lactoferrin; however, no statistically significant differences for the IgA value were found. In the group of traditional cigarette smokers, statistically significant differences were observed among all tested parameters in relation to the control group. In relation to IgA, statistically significant differences were found between e-cigarette users and traditional cigarette smokers, to the disadvantage of the latter. Conclusion: Saliva of e-cigarette users showed changes of antibacterial properties in comparison to the control group and traditional cigarette smokers. Further longitudinal studies on larger study groups should be conducted in order to assess the effect of observed changes in the antibacterial properties of saliva on oral health.

The aim of this work was to evaluate of hydrolytic activity of whole saliva using chitosan ascorbate as a substrate. In this aim, the concentrations of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine were determined in saliva before addition of chitosan ascorbate, directly after addition and during incubation with chitosan ascorbate by 20 hrs. In this in vitro study were used sterile chitosan ascorbate in the form of powder. Chitosan was obtained from krill chitin. The ratio of ascorbic acid to chitosan was 1:1. The unstimulated whole saliva showed the hydrolytic activity in the presence of the chitosan ascorbate as a substrate.