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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Comparative Assessment of Total Antioxidant Capacity of Unstimulated Saliva Which Can Reflect the Oxidative Stress
Manikandan Sundaram1, Baskaran Kumarasamy2, Kavitha P Subbian3
1District Early Intervention Centre/ Department of Dental Surgery, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Insights
Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in autism children
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Health
- Oral Health
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can impact various physiological processes.
- Salivary biomarkers are increasingly utilized in pediatric health research.
- Understanding antioxidant status in children with autism is crucial for health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in unstimulated saliva.
- To investigate TAC levels in children with autism versus neurotypical children.
- To explore the influence of caries activity on salivary TAC in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Spectrophotometric assay was used to measure TAC in unstimulated saliva samples.
- Sixty children (30 with autism, 30 neurotypical), aged 7-14 years, participated.
- Participants were categorized into caries-free and caries-active subgroups.
Main Results:
- Salivary TAC levels in children with autism were comparable to those in neurotypical children.
- TAC was elevated in caries-active children compared to caries-free children across both groups.
- No statistically significant difference in TAC was observed between caries-active and caries-free subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Personal hygiene, diet, age, and caries activity significantly influence salivary TAC levels.
- These factors may play a role in the overall health and well-being of children.
- Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these findings in pediatric populations.
Aim:
To assess the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the unstimulated saliva of autism children and normal children.
Methods:
A total of 60 children participated in the study (autism children-30; normal children-30) in the age-group of 7-14 years, at a Special Needs Children's Home in Salem district. Both groups were further subdivided into subgroups of 15 children each (caries-free and caries-active). All children were given instructions regarding saliva sample collection, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected in sterile cryovials and transported to the laboratory at 4°C, where the TAC of saliva was evaluated using the spectrophotometric assay.
Results:
TAC of autism children was comparable to that of normal children due to personal care and improved diet. TAC was increased in caries-active children when compared to caries-free children in both groups. When comparing the mean values of TAC in caries-active and caries-free children of both groups, it was not statistically significant. So, from the above results, it can be assumed that the diet, age, and caries activity have a definitive influence on the TAC level of saliva.
Conclusion:
Personal hygiene, diet, age, and caries activity have a definitive influence on the level of TAC in saliva.
