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Nickel concentrations in human parotid saliva
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science
|March 1, 1977
Summary
Healthy adults have an average salivary nickel concentration of 1.9 µg/L. This study found no significant differences in nickel levels based on sex, occupation, dental health, or smoking habits.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Analytical Chemistry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Nickel is an essential trace element with potential health implications.
- Saliva is a biofluid that can reflect systemic exposure to elements.
- Understanding nickel levels in saliva is important for assessing human exposure and health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure nickel concentrations in the parotid saliva of healthy adults.
- To investigate potential correlations between salivary nickel and protein levels.
- To examine variations in salivary nickel based on demographic and lifestyle factors.
Main Methods:
- Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was used for nickel quantification.
- Parotid saliva specimens were collected from 38 healthy adult participants.
- Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations and group differences.
Main Results:
- The mean salivary nickel concentration was 1.9 ± 1.0 µg/L (range: 0.8–4.5 µg/L).
- No significant correlation was found between salivary nickel and protein concentrations.
- No significant differences in nickel levels were observed between men and women, different occupational groups, caries-prone versus caries-free individuals, or smokers versus non-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Salivary nickel levels in healthy adults are relatively consistent across various demographic and lifestyle factors.
- ETAAS is a suitable method for determining nickel concentrations in human saliva.
- Further research may explore other factors influencing salivary nickel levels or the biological significance of observed concentrations.