Estimation and Comparison of Salivary PH and Salivary Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Smokers, Diabetic Nonsmokers and Controls

Abstract

Introduction: Saliva serves as an important diagnostic medium, reflecting systemic conditions and oxidative stress, which are associated with several oral and systemic diseases. This study aims to estimate and compare salivary pH and salivary oxidative stress (measured by malondialdehyde [MDA] levels) among diabetic smokers, diabetic non-smokers, and healthy controls. Understanding these factors could provide insights into oxidative damage in diabetic and smoking-affected populations.
Materials and Methods: A total of 102 male subjects, aged over 30 and with diabetes and/or smoking history of 5-10 years, were categorized into three groups: diabetic smokers (n=34), diabetic non-smokers (n=34), and healthy controls (n=34). Salivary samples were collected using a standardized protocol and analyzed for pH using a pH meter and oxidative stress (MDA) levels using spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation, were conducted to identify differences and associations between groups.
Results: Salivary pH was significantly lower in diabetic smokers (mean pH 5.91 ± 0.45) compared to diabetic non-smokers (6.79 ± 0.29) and controls (7.14 ± 0.20) (p<0.001). MDA levels were significantly higher in diabetic smokers (1.539 ± 0.233 mmol/L) than in diabetic non-smokers (0.977 ± 0.102 mmol/L) and controls (0.407 ± 0.095 mmol/L) (p<0.001). A positive correlation was observed between MDA and pH levels across all groups.
Discussion: The study highlights the combined impact of diabetes and smoking on salivary oxidative stress, as shown by elevated MDA levels and reduced pH in diabetic smokers. These findings suggest that oxidative stress exacerbates salivary alterations in diabetic smokers, potentially contributing to oral and systemic pathologies.