Antimicrobial factors, sialic acid, and protein concentration in whole saliva of the elderly

Green Alternatives as Antimicrobial Agents in Mitigating Periodontal Diseases: A Narrative Review

Periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most common infectious oral diseases impacting oral health globally. Oral cavity health is crucial for enhancing life quality since it serves as the entranceway to general health. The oral microbiome and oral infectious diseases are strongly correlated. Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria have been associated with periodontal diseases. Due to the shortcomings of several antimicrobial medications frequently applied in dentistry, the lack of resources in developing countries, the prevalence of oral inflammatory conditions, and the rise in bacterial antibiotic resistance, there is a need for reliable, efficient, and affordable alternative solutions for the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Several accessible chemical agents can alter the oral microbiota, although these substances also have unfavorable symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and tooth discoloration. Natural phytochemicals generated from plants that have historically been used as medicines are categorized as prospective alternatives due to the ongoing quest for substitute products. This review concentrated on phytochemicals or herbal extracts that impact periodontal diseases by decreasing the formation of dental biofilms and plaques, preventing the proliferation of oral pathogens, and inhibiting bacterial adhesion to surfaces. Investigations examining the effectiveness and safety of plant-based medicines have also been presented, including those conducted over the past decade.

Association between Salivary Hypofunction and Food Consumption in the Elderlies. A Systematic Literature Review

OBJECTIVES

This systematic literature review aims to summarize the existing scientific evidence about the association between a reduced salivary function and food consumption in elderly people.

METHODS

A validated search strategy in two databases (PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge) was carried out and retrieved papers together with their reference lists were screened by two independent reviewers. The quality of the included studies was critically appraised via the Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers.

RESULTS

From the originally identified studies (n=391), only 15 articles (all cross-sectional studies) met the pre-fixed inclusion/exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was in general good, although only 3 from 15 obtained the maximum score. The control of confounding factors was the quality variable more poorly rated in the selected studies. Salivary hypofunction was associated with a decrease of the objective chewing and swallowing abilities and taste perception. Moreover, most of the selected studies showed a relationship between salivary hypofunction and food consumption (in terms of appetite loss, unbalanced dietary intake and malnutrition), although no causality could be established.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the fact that salivary hypofunction definition and measurements are different across the studies. Therefore, future research efforts should focus on establishing a gold standard to define and identify salivary hypofunction throughout life and on performing longitudinal studies controlling for confounding factors to establish causality.

Punica granatum: A review on its potential role in treating periodontal disease

A wide variety of plants possess enormous treasure of medicinal value. Majority of these medicinal plants have been used to treat various systemic conditions successfully. Over the recent years, use of these medicinal plants has resurfaced to treat oral conditions. Among the oral conditions, periodontal disease remains one of the most common. Alternative and preventive options has become the need of the hour in order to overcome the adverse effects of the antimicrobial agents used in large as an adjunct to mainstream periodontal treatment. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) is one of the oldest edible fruit which has a long history as a medicinal fruit. This review is an attempt to highlight the potential of Punica granatum as a preventive and therapeutic aid to periodontal disease.

Xerostomia and hyposalivation: causes, consequences and treatment in the elderly

Xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) are prevalent in elderly populations, causing much discomfort and even difficulties in eating. SGH also increases the occurrence and severity of oral diseases and makes the patient susceptible to candidiasis. The principal causes of SGH and xerostomia are systemic diseases and drugs used daily. The diagnosis of SGH and xerostomia is based on simple methods, of which measuring both unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate is the most important. Treatment calls for proper management of underlying disease, avoidance of all unnecessary medications, and topical remedies such as artificial saliva substitutes. However, good hydration is essential in the elderly with SGH and xerostomia, and water is the drink of choice. In extremely difficult cases, for instance in patients receiving radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck regions, parasympathomimetic drugs may be administered if no contraindications exist.

Sialic acid content of infant saliva: comparison of breast fed with formula fed infants

Sialic acid is found in especially high concentrations in brain gangliosides, and supplementary sialic acid is associated with increased learning behaviour in animals. It was hypothesised that breast fed infants may have higher concentrations of sialic acid in body fluids and tissues because human milk is a rich source of sialylated oligosaccharides, while formulas contain very little. The aim therefore was to compare the sialic acid content of saliva collected from full term infants who were either solely breast fed or formula fed until weaning at 3-5 months of age. Thirty three infants, 18 breast fed and 15 formula fed, were studied at a mean (SD) age of 5 (2) months. The breast fed infants, when compared with formula fed infants, were found to have almost two times more free sialic acid in saliva (mean (SE) 16.0 (2.7) v 8.2 (2.1) mg/l, p < 0.036) and nearly 50% more total sialic acid (47.3 (3.9) v 32.2 (4.4) mg/l, p < 0.014). The findings provide a preliminary indication that an exogenous source of sialic acids derived from human milk may contribute to higher concentrations of sialic acid in body fluids. There are important implications for the formulation of human milk substitutes.

Hormone replacement therapy and some salivary antimicrobial factors in post- and perimenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

The effect of hormone replacement therapy (Cyclabil) on non-immunoglobulin (peroxidase) and immunoglobulin (total IgA, IgG, IgM) antimicrobial factors as well as on total protein and microorganisms in whole saliva was assayed in 19 postmenopausal and 8 perimenopausal women.

METHODS

Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected before as well as 3 and 5 months after the onset of the treatment. Time- and group-related differences between post- and perimenopausal women were analyzed.

RESULTS

Peroxidase and total protein output per min increased significantly (P = 0.004 and 0.001) during the treatment in both groups. No significant time- or group-related differences in the mean concentrations of the respective variables were found. The mean concentrations of salivary IgA and IgG showed a significant time-related decrease in both groups (P = 0.012 and 0.010). Salivary IgM concentration in perimenopausal women also showed a significant time-related decline (P = 0.017) and the difference in changes of salivary IgM between the two groups was significant (P = 0.033). Total IgA output per min increased in perimenopausal whereas it decreased in postmenopausal women (interaction; P = 0.021). Hormone treatment had no effect on the amount of salivary bacterial floras.

CONCLUSIONS

The composition of saliva in post- and perimenopausal women was found to be estrogen-dependent. The second finding was that all women participating in the study reported a sense of enhanced oral well-being including relief of oral dryness.