Objectives: The objective of our present study, was to study candidate biochemical markers, enzymes, in salivary samples for the screening of periodontal disease. These enzymes were ALT, AST, GGT, LDH and CK.
Subjects and Methods: A total of sixty participants males and females and ranging in age from 30-45 years old were selected; 40 patients with periodontal disease and 20 healthy individuals were included in this study. Group I was comprised of 20 patients having periodontitis; forming the test group. Group II was comprised of 20 patients with gingivitis, forming the positive control group. Group III was comprised of 20 healthy adult volunteers who represented the negative control group. Patients within periodontitis group underwent conventional periodontal treatment consisting of oral hygiene instructions, full mouth thorough scaling and root planning (SRP). The salivary samples were collected at baseline from all groups (before treatment) and three weeks post treatment of periodontitis group.
Results: The activities of ALT, AST, GGT, LDH and CK enzymes were significantly increased in the saliva of patients with periodontal disease in relation to those of healthy condition, thus they can be used as a biological biomarker for progression of periodontal disease. After periodontal treatment the activity of examined salivary enzymes was decrease.
Conclusion: Screening of periodontal disease by measuring salivary levels of ALT, AST, GGT, LDH and CK may be a feasible, simple and convenient approach that does not require expert examiners especially in mass screening events.