Salivary enzymes and flow rate: Markers of peptic ulcer

Abstract

Aim: Peptic ulcers are among the most common and most costly diseases known to human. Its diagnosis in the early stages would have great benefit in treatment of the disease. The aim of this study was to compare alternations of enzymes activity in salivary fluid between patients with peptic ulcer disease and healthy controls. Materials and methods: Two groups each composed of 26 subjects (13 male and 13 female) patients with peptic and healthy controls entered. Activities of selective salivary enzymes were assayed by a spectrophotometeric method. Results: The results showed significant increased activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as total salivary protein (TSP) concentration in peptic ulcer patients as compared to control group. However, the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) also increased in peptic ulcer patients as compared to healthy control, but not statistically significant. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results it was concluded that peptic ulcer may be early diagnosed by detecting activity of salivary enzymes. Therefore the saliva can be suggested as a diagnostic fluid.

Keywords

• Saliva
• Peptic ulcer
• Alkaline phosphatase
• Aspartate/alanine aminotransferase
• Total salivary protein