Saliva-Based Protein Analysis in Pediatric Dentofacial Inflammation

Abstract

Aim

Saliva contains various proteins that are important in developing inflammatory processes and their prevention. One key aspect of saliva research is the relationship between oral infections and inflammation, and the role of some salivary proteins.

The Work Aims

To demonstrate which salivary cytokines can be biomarkers of acute odontogenic oral and facial infections in children.

Material and Methods

The study included two groups of patients: a study group of 28 children: 7 girls and 21 boys aged 3 −17 years with acute dentofacial inflammation (DI) and a control group of 52 children: 16 girls and 36 boys aged 4–17 years with uncomplicated dental caries (CE). The levels of Interleukin-5 (IL-5), Interleukin −10 (IL-10), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), Interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70), Eotaxin, Rantes, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP10) in the saliva of children in DI and CE groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with Statistica 13. The Student’s t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used.

Results

The results show that IL-10, IL-17A, and Eotaxin showed a statistically significant increase in the DI group compared to the CE group. The significance level for IL-10 was p=0.02, for IL-17A was equal to Eotaxin and p=0.04. The other measured parameters did not differ statistically significant between the two groups.

Conclusion

IL-10, IL-17A, and Eotaxin can be used as potential biomarkers for tooth-related inflammatory states of the oral cavity and face in children. These biomarkers can be useful in identifying and monitoring the presence of inflammation in the oral cavity and face.

Keywords:

• salivary cytokines and chemokines
• odontogenic oral and facial inflammation
• children

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all patients and their parents for their participation in the research. This study was supported by scientific grants from the Medical University of Silesia number PCN-1-120/N/O/K.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.