title: Salivary profile in diabetic patients: biochemical and immunological evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and immunological characteristics of saliva from diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight diabetic adults and 39 non-diabetic adults (control) were included in the study. Glucose, urea, calcium, total protein and amylase were determined by a colorimetric method. The levels of secretory IgA and the IgA anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-insulin IgA antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Caries status was evaluated using the DMFT index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucose, urea, calcium, anti-S. mutans IgA, total IgA, and anti-insulin IgA were significantly higher in diabetic patients, whereas total protein and amylase levels were lower in these patients. There was no positive correlation between blood and salivary glucose levels in either group. Diabetic patients had a higher DMFT index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed for the first time that IgA levels in diabetic patients'saliva, shows correlation with systemic biochemical parameters. Thus the saliva is an useful tool to follow the systemic health status in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. monicavvl@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Monica Virginia Viegas
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lima-Aragão
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. joaodejota@gmail.com.
authors.forename: João de Jesus
authors.initials: Jde J
authors.lastname: de Oliveira-Junior
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. macielmcg@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Márcia Cristina Gonçalves
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. lucileneamorimsilva@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Lucilene Amorim
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. nascimentofrf@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Flávia Raquel Fernandes
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Campus Universitário do Bacanga, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 1966-Centro, São Luís, MA, 65080, Brazil. roguerra@globo.com.
authors.forename: Rosane Nassar Meireles
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Guerra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007328:Insulin; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D014508:Urea; D000681:Amylases; D005947:Glucose; D002118:Calcium