title: Salivary antioxidant biomarkers in non-ferrous metals mine workers--a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relationships between occupational exposure to mine dust, salivary antioxidants and their possible implications in the pathogenicity of different exposure diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 30 individuals with long-term occupational exposure to non-ferrous metal mine conditions and a control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. Salivary uric acid, gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), albumin and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences in salivary GGT (P = 0.004), TAC (P < 0.001) and uric acid (P = 0.02) were noted between the two groups. A strong positive correlation between TAC and uric acid was recorded in controls (r = 0.76, P = 0.0002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saliva may provide an important line of antioxidant defense in humans exposed to oxidant threats. These components may also serve as convenient biomarkers to monitor oxidant exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greabu
authors.forename: Andreea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Didilescu
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puiu
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miricescu
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Totan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012383:Romania; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D015415:Biomarkers; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D004391:Dust; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008670:Metals; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D014527:Uric Acid; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase