Evaluation of salivary enzymes activities among patients with chronic periodontitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: The cells of periodontium contain many intracellular enzymes like (alkaline phosphatase ALP, aspartate
aminotransferase AST and alanine aminotransferase ALT) that are released outside into the saliva and gingival
crevicular fluid GCF after destruction of periodontal tissue during periodontitis. The aim of this study is to determine
the activities of these enzymes in saliva and its relation to the clinical periodontal parameters during chronic
periodontitis.
Materials and methods: Measurements of plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing
pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were taken from sixty subjects (thirty with chronic
periodontitis and thirty with healthy periodontium), only male were included and saliva was collected from them and
subjected to biochemical analysis of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase ALP, aspartate aminotransferase AST and
alanine aminotransferase ALT levels.
Results: Statistical analysis of the results revealed the presence of a highly significant difference in the enzymatic
activity between healthy and chronic periodontitis subjects with absence of any correlation between the activities of
these enzymes and the clinical periodontal parameters except between alanine aminotransferase ALT and PLI
(Pvalue :0.049) and between alkaline phosphatase ALP and BOP (P value: 0.041).
Conclusions: It can be concluded that these enzymes are good biochemical markers and helpful in early diagnosis
of chronic periodontitis.
Key words: Saliva, enzymes, chronic periodontitis. J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2010; 22(1):65-67.