Related Experiment Videos
Saliva composition in Indian children with chronic protein-energy malnutrition
I Johansson1, M Lenander-Lumikari, A K Saellström
1Department of Cariology, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) exhibit reduced saliva secretion and lower calcium and chloride levels. Their saliva also shows weakened immune defenses against bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Health
- Oral Biology
Background:
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant health concern in children.
- Salivary composition and function can be affected by nutritional status.
- Oral health is crucial for overall well-being in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare salivary composition and secretion rates between Indian children with moderate to severe PEM and a control group.
- To investigate the impact of PEM on stimulated and unstimulated saliva parameters.
- To assess salivary immunological factors in children with PEM.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of stimulated and unstimulated whole saliva from 8-12-year-old Indian children (PEM group vs. control group).
- Analysis of electrolytes, total protein, and glycoproteins in stimulated saliva.
- Analysis of immunological factors, including lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins, in unstimulated saliva.
Main Results:
- PEM group showed reduced stimulated saliva secretion rate and lower Ca2+ and Cl- concentrations.
- Total protein secretion per minute was reduced in the PEM group.
- Unstimulated saliva from the PEM group had lower lactoferrin, bacteria-agglutinating protein (BAGP), and anti-S. mutans IgA, but higher total IgG.
Conclusions:
- Children with severe/moderate PEM have impaired stimulated saliva secretion, buffer capacity, and lower Ca2+ and protein levels.
- PEM negatively affects unstimulated saliva's immunological and bacteria-agglutinating defense factors.
- Nutritional status significantly impacts salivary defense mechanisms in children.
Abstract:
The composition of paraffin-stimulated and unstimulated whole saliva was compared between two groups of 8-12-year-old Indian children-one group with severe to moderate chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM group) and an age- and sex-matched control group with normal protein status or mild PEM. The classification of PEM was based on anthropometric measurements compared with Indian standards. Stimulated saliva was analyzed for the following variables: electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, and PO4(3-)), total protein, hexosamines, fucose, sialic acid, and amylase. Unstimulated saliva samples were analyzed for total protein, salivary and myeloperoxidase, thiocyanate, lactoferrin, lysozyme, a bacteria-agglutinating protein (BAGP), total IgG, total IgA, and specific anti-S. mutans IgA. The results show that the PEM group had a reduced secretion rate of stimulated but not unstimulated saliva. Further, the Ca2+ and Cl- concentrations in stimulated saliva were significantly lower in the PEM group compared with the control group, but the other electrolyte levels were similar. No differences were found in total protein concentration or glycoprotein bound carbohydrates in stimulated saliva between the two groups, but the quantity of total protein secreted per min was reduced by 20% in the PEM group. Significantly lower levels of lactoferrin, BAGP, and anti-S mutans IgA were found in unstimulated saliva from children in the PEM group, but significantly higher levels of total IgG. We conclude that children with severe or moderate PEM, who have reduced secretion rate, buffer capacity, lower Ca2+, and protein secretion in stimulated saliva, also have impaired immunological and agglutinating defense factors in unstimulated saliva.