Salivary markers of oxidative stress and periodontal pathogens in patients with periodontitis from Santander, Colombia

Introduction: Periodontitis affects to more than 20% of the Southern Latin-America population. Oxidative markers are associated with a greater progression of periodontitis, therefore its role in pathogenesis coul be studied. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of the main oral bacteria and virus associated with periodontitis and to estimate the total antioxidant capacity (CAT) and lipid peroxidation, in saliva of patients with Periodontitis. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 101 systemically healthy subjects, 87 diagnosed with periodontitis (P) by CDC/AAP and as controls, 14 subjects without periodontal pockets (C). In subgingival samples, major viruses and dental pathogenic bacteria were identified using PCR techniques. Levels of total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated spectrophotometrically in samples of unstimulated saliva. Results: The mean of periodontal depth pocket and clinical attachment loss in patients with periodontitis were 5.6 +/- 1.7 mm and 6.1 +/- 3.1 mm, respectively. The most prevalent microorganisms were A. actinomycetemcomitans (32.5%) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (18.6%). Patiens from rural areas showed higher percentage of A. actinomycetemcomitans (Urban: 17.9% vs. Rural: 48.9%, p = 0.0018). In patients with periodontitis, the frequency of EBV, HSV1 & 2, HCMV was 2.3%. Periodontitis patients had higher levels of MDA (P=2.1 +/- 1.5; C=0.46 +/- 0.3 mu mol/g prot.; p=0.0001) and CAT (P=0.32 +/- 0.2; C=0.15 +/- 0.1 mM; p<0.0036). Oxidative markers show no modifications by the presence of periodontopathic bacteria. Conclusions: In this study, A. actinomycetemcomitans was found as the main prevalent bacteria. Its presence did not modify levels of oxidative markers in saliva of patients with periodontitis.