Comparison of saliva sampling methods for measurement of salivary adiponectin levels

We measured salivary adiponectin levels in saliva samples collected in two different ways and compared the results. Using the Salivette system, we collected samples from 30 healthy females into test tubes. Salivary adiponectin levels were evaluated using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit for plasma but with a slightly modified method. While there was a significant correlation between adiponectin levels in plasma and test-tube saliva (p<0.05), no correlation between adiponectin levels in plasma and Salivette-sampled saliva was apparent. These findings suggest that test-tube sampling is more reliable than use of the Salivette system for measuring salivary adiponectin levels.