Analysis of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in Saliva in Inflammatory Periodontal Conditions-A Potential Screening Approach to Assess Periodontal Disease Monia Sharma1,*, Rajan Gupt2, Nymphea Pandit3 1Reader, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, D.A.V (C) Dental College and Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India 2Principal and Head, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, D.A.V (C) Dental College and Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India 3Professor and head, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, D.A.V (C) Dental College and Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India *Address for Correspondence: Dr. Monia Sharma, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, D.A.V (C) Dental College and Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India, E-mail: drmoniaynr@gmail.com
Online published on 18 May, 2016. Abstract Objective Use of saliva for periodontal screening has been the subject of considerable research activity. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is a cytoplasmic enzyme present in saliva and has been studied as marker of periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to determine AST levels in saliva in patients with periodontal disease before and after therapy. Methods Sixty subjects (30 control or healthy and 30 patients of inflammatory periodontal disease; mean age 37 years) were enrolled in this study. Measurements of clinical parameters, which includes recording community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) scores, and collection of non stimulated whole saliva were performed at base line and 3 weeks after scaling and root planing. Saliva was biochemically analyzed for AST levels. Statistical analysis was performed by using paired t test and One way ANOVA. Results Median value and interquartile range of AST in saliva in CPITN group C0, C1, C3 and C4 was found to be 31.25 U/l (28.98–37.35 U/l), 32.6 U/l (27.42–39.15 U/l), 38.0 U/l (34.42–40.75 U/l) and 96.5 U/l (88.57–107-30 U/l) respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between C0, C1 and C3 except for C4. (p < 0.05). Statistically significant difference was found between healthy and inflammatory periodontal patients (90.6 ± 19.69 U/l) regarding their AST levels in saliva (p < 0.001) but no significant difference was observed between healthy and treated patients (35.36 ± 9.79 U/l). Conclusion Our results suggest that AST levels in saliva increases in severe periodontal disease condition and decreases after treatment and is comparable to healthy subjects. Top Keywords Aspartate aminotransferase, Screening, Periodontal disease, Saliva, Therapy (Scaling & Root planning). Top |