Statherin and alpha-amylase levels in saliva from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis.

Objectives: Salivary statherin and alpha-amylase play significant roles in biofilm formation and pathogenic bacteria adhesion. Examination of these proteins may provide information on their roles in periodontal diseases. The present study was based on the hypothesis that; the salivary proteins -statherin and alpha-amylase- effective on biofilm formation, may play important roles in the etiology of periodontal disease. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the differences in periodontal diseases compared to periodontal health in order to search their roles in periodontal disease.

Methods: Patients with gingivitis (n = 26) and periodontitis (n = 20), and periodontally healthy individuals (n = 21) were included in this study. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from a total of 67 individuals. Salivary statherin level and alpha-amylase activity were determined using ELISA and enzymatic methods, respectively.

Results: Statherin levels in saliva were significantly higher in the periodontitis group compared to the gingivitis group (p = 0.014), while alpha-amylase activities and total protein levels were slightly higher in the periodontitis and gingivitis groups compared to controls, without significant differences among the groups (p = 0.295 and p = 0.019, respectively). Statherin levels showed positive correlations with gingival and plaque indices in the disease groups.

Conclusions: The results suggest that statherin level in saliva increase to provide a protective effect against periodontitis, and higher salivary statherin level is related to the degree of gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation.