Psychological stress has no association with salivary levels of β-defensin 2 and β-defensin 3.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies suggest that stress can predispose an individual to the development of periodontal disease, but the exact biological mechanism is unknown. Considering that psychological stress can down-regulate the production of β-defensins (antimicrobial peptides produced in the oral cavity), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between stress and salivary levels of β-defensin 2 (HBD-2) and β-defensin 3 (HBD-3).


METHODS
For this purpose, seventy five volunteers, classified as periodontally healthy, were submitted to a psychological evaluation using a validated questionnaire (Questionnaire of Lipp-ISS). Following analysis of the questionnaires, the subjects were divided in two groups (Group A: Absence of stress and Group B: Presence of stress). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and the concentration of total protein was determined using the BCA method, and the concentrations of HBD-2 and HBD-3 were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
The levels of total protein did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. Analyses of HBD-2 and HBD-3 concentrations indicate that the stress condition was not associated with the levels of either peptide in saliva (P=0.3664 for HBD-2 and P=0.3608 for HBD-3).


CONCLUSIONS
In periodontally healthy subjects, HBD-2 and HBD-3 levels are not influenced by stress.
Forte
Lilibeth Ferraz de Brito Penna
LF
Department of Dentistry, University of Taubaté, Taubaté/SP, Brazil Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil.
Cortelli
Sheila Cavalca
SC
Cortelli
José Roberto
JR
Aquino
Davi Romeiro
DR
de Campos
Maria Valéria Costa
MV
Cogo
Karina
K
Costa
Fernando Oliveira
FO
Franco
Gilson Cesar Nobre
GC
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D023083:beta-Defensins