Saliva: Can it be a Supportive Marker for Oxidative Stress among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?

Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the diagnostic capacity of saliva in measuring oxidants and antioxidants levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients there by evaluating the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of RA and its comparison with healthy controls. Material and Methods: 30 Rheumatoid factor positive arthritis patients were compared with the 30 age and gender matched healthy controls. Unstimulated salivary flow rate was assessed by spitting method in the morning between 9 am and 12 noon. Saliva was centrifuged and analyzed for Malondialdehyde (MDA), Uric acid (UA) and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS). Results: The mean salivary flow rate was 0.28 + 0.08 ml/min and 0.44 + 0.09 ml/min, MDA levels were 5.67 + 1.12 nm/ml and 3.67 + 0.65nm/ml, UA levels were 2.82 + 0.48 mg/dl and 4.32 + 0.42 mg/dl and TAS levels were 3.14 + 0.20 mmol/lit and 0.52 + 0.17 mmol/lit in RA patients and controls respectively. All these levels were statistically significant between the RA patients and controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed free radicals plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Salivary analysis is helpful for the diagnosis of the oxidative stress levels and to monitor the disease which is easy, non-invasive, cheaper and patient-friendly rather than going for invasive plasma analysis.