Abstract

ACTIS, AB; SIMBRON, A; BRUNOTTO, M  and  GOMEZ DE FERRARIS, ME. Concentración de proteínas totales en saliva de jóvenes consumidores sociales de alcohol. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2006, vol.44, n.2, pp.171-175. ISSN 0001-6365.

The concentration of salivary proteins, as well as the salivary flow, may be affected by the chronic alcohol intake through the structural changes it induces in the secretory glands. Although the modification in salivary protein concentration as a result of acute alcohol intake has been reported, no references were found on the effects of its social intake. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the concentration of total proteins in saliva of young social alcohol consumers, which are necessary to maintain the healthy condition of dental and peridental tissues. Thirty University students of both sexes, age range18-25 years old, apparently healthy, with and without (control) background of alcohol intake, participated in the study. They answered a questionnaire referred to the alcohol intake and tobacco smoking, medicine intake and presence of systemic diseases. Non-stimulated mixed saliva was obtained in fast condition and through the expectoration technique. After centrifuging the samples, the protein concentration was analyzed by modified Lowry and protein profile by electrophoresis 12% SDS PAGE. The alcohol intake was statistically correlated to tobacco smoking (p=0,0001) and masculine sex (p=0,01). The concentration of total salivary proteins was significantly different between the consumer and non-consumer groups (p=0.04), the highest mean concentration found in the second group in relation to sex, tobacco smoking and medicine intake. The results of the present study allow to conclude that the social alcohol intake modify the concentration of total salivary proteins.

Keywords : saliva; proteins; alcohol.