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Updated: May 7, 2026

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers
Published on: December 18, 2013
Exploring clinical parameters and salivary microbiome profiles associated with metabolic syndrome in a population of
Carlos José Ferreira da Silva1, Carlos Vinicius Ferreira da Silva2, Alexander Machado Cardoso1
1Faculty of Biological Sciences and Health, Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Objectives:
This study investigates for the first time the association between metabolic syndrome and oral microbial profiles in a population-based sample from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Design:
We assessed 66 volunteers, collecting detailed sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data alongside salivary samples for metagenomic analysis.
Results:
Our findings reveal significant differences in anthropometric parameters, including waist circumference, glycemia, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides between the metabolic syndrome and control groups. Increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bacteroidia was observed in the metabolic syndrome group, suggesting a potential link between these phyla and metabolic dysregulation. While no significant differences in alpha diversity were found between the overall groups, stratification by body mass index (BMI) indicated that the normal weight subgroup without Metabolic Syndrome exhibited notable variations compared to overweight and obese individuals.
Conclusions:
This study identifies specific shifts in oral microbiota composition that are associated with metabolic syndrome, highlighting their potential as microbial biomarkers for this condition. These findings suggest a link between oral dysbiosis and metabolic dysregulation, providing new insights into the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, the results pave the way for the development of non-invasive diagnostics tools and targeted therapies that leverage the oral microbiome's role in systemic health.
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