Antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative damage in the saliva of patients with Down's syndrome.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems and levels of biomarker levels of oxidative damage in the saliva of patients with Down's syndrome (DS).

METHODS

Saliva samples were collected from 30 patients with DS and control group (age: 14-24 years). Subsequently, the concentrations of superoxide dismutase, concentration of malondialdehyde, carbonylated proteins, uric acid, vitamin C and total protein, peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients with DS presented significantly higher concentrations of superoxide dismutase, higher levels of malondialdehyde and salivary total protein content than controls (p<0.05). Conversely, no difference in carbonylated proteins or antioxidants (uric acid, vitamin C, peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity) was observed between DS patients and controls (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with DS are more vulnerable to oxidative stress in saliva as indicated by the significant increase in malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase concentrations found in this study.