Shukla Apoorva, Venkatesh Usha Govindaroy, Almalki Sultan Abdulrahman, Gowdar Inderjit Murugendrappa, Gufran Khalid
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 11942, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Eur J Med Res. 2025 Apr 26;30(1):334. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02598-0.
The overproduction of oxygen-derived free radicals and their byproducts, as well as a deficiency in antioxidants, are key factors in the progression of periodontitis. Pranayama, a yogic practice, involves deliberate, rhythmic, and intense movements and expansion of the respiratory organs. Engaging in rhythmic breathing exercises has been proven to lower resting levels of inflammatory cytokines and enhance the oxidant-antioxidant defence system. The objective of this study is to analyse the levels of salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and salivary oxidative stress markers in individuals who regularly practice pranayama.
This cross-sectional study included 224 participants aged between 35 and 44 years, divided into two groups: 112 individuals practicing pranayama regularly (exposed group) and 112 individuals with no history of pranayama practice (control group). The periodontal health status of both exposed and unexposed group was evaluated using Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Salivary TAC and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed using the double antibody sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) method, respectively.
The pranayama group showed a significantly higher mean salivary TAC (0.58 ± 0.098) compared to the control group (0.50 ± 0.090) (p = 0.000). In contrast, the mean salivary MDA levels were notably lower in the pranayama group (0.44 ± 0.09) than in the control group (0.60 ± 0.11) (p = 0.000).
The findings indicate that regular pranayama practice lowers salivary oxidative stress levels while increasing salivary antioxidant levels. Therefore, pranayama may serve as a complementary approach for promoting periodontal health.
Pranayama has demonstrated positive effects on stress by lowering cortisol levels, a key stress marker. It also promotes phagocytosis and regulates the production of fibroblasts and epithelial cells, thereby improving periodontal health. Consequently, pranayama could be considered a complementary alternative therapy alongside conventional periodontal treatments in the future.
氧衍生自由基及其副产物的过度产生以及抗氧化剂的缺乏是牙周炎进展的关键因素。瑜伽呼吸法（Pranayama）是一种瑜伽练习，涉及呼吸器官的刻意、有节奏且强烈的运动和扩张。事实证明，进行有节奏的呼吸练习可降低炎症细胞因子的静息水平，并增强氧化 - 抗氧化防御系统。本研究的目的是分析定期练习瑜伽呼吸法的个体的唾液总抗氧化能力（TAC）水平和唾液氧化应激标志物。
这项横断面研究纳入了224名年龄在35至44岁之间的参与者，分为两组：112名定期练习瑜伽呼吸法的个体（暴露组）和112名无瑜伽呼吸法练习史的个体（对照组）。使用社区牙周指数（CPI）评估暴露组和未暴露组的牙周健康状况。分别使用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）和硫代巴比妥酸反应物质（TBARS）方法评估唾液TAC和丙二醛（MDA）水平。
与对照组（0.50±0.090）相比，瑜伽呼吸法组的唾液TAC平均水平显著更高（0.58±0.098）（p = 0.000）。相比之下，瑜伽呼吸法组的唾液MDA平均水平（0.44±0.09）明显低于对照组（0.60±0.11）（p = 0.000）。
研究结果表明，定期练习瑜伽呼吸法可降低唾液氧化应激水平，同时提高唾液抗氧化水平。因此，瑜伽呼吸法可作为促进牙周健康的一种辅助方法。
瑜伽呼吸法已通过降低关键应激标志物皮质醇水平显示出对压力的积极影响。它还促进吞噬作用并调节成纤维细胞和上皮细胞的产生，从而改善牙周健康。因此，未来瑜伽呼吸法可被视为传统牙周治疗之外的一种辅助替代疗法。
