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. 2015 May-Aug;5(2):81-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 May 23.

Are salivary amylase and pH - Prognostic indicators of cancers?

Atmakuri Shanmukha Ramya  1 , Divya Uppala  2 , Sumit Majumdar  3 , Ch Surekha  4 , K G K Deepak  5
Affiliations

Are salivary amylase and pH - Prognostic indicators of cancers?

Atmakuri Shanmukha Ramya et al. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2015 May-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Saliva, "Mirror of body's health" has long been of particular interest as a substitute for blood for disease diagnosis and monitoring. The radiation effects on salivary glands are of particular interest in which salivary amylase is a good indicator of salivary glands function. Thus, estimation of these parameters represents a reasonable approach in evaluation of patient's risk for disease occurrence, intensity and prognosis.

Aim of study: To evaluate and compare the pH and amylase levels in saliva of cancer patients prior to treatment, patients during treatment.

Materials and methods: Saliva samples of 90 individuals were taken which were divided into 3 groups - 30 individuals without cancer, 30 cancer patients prior treatment and 30 cancer patients during treatment. Materials used were pH strips and pH meter, Salivary Amylase assay.

Results: Statistical analysis - ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's test. 1) Significant decrease in salivary amylase levels - in cancer patients, during treatment when compared to others. 2) Significant decrease in salivary pH levels in newly diagnosed cancer patients prior to treatment.

Conclusion: To conclude, pH strips and pH meter showed to be a useful tool in the measurement of pH of saliva in individuals with and without cancer. This study showed that cancer patients without treatment have a lower pH of saliva. Treatment increased the pH of the saliva to a more alkaline level whereas amylase levels decreased in those subjects. Therefore those parameters can be an area of further research with an increased sample size, which in-turn may help in opening the doors for new dimension in non invasive prognostic markers.

Keywords: Cancer; Saliva; Salivary amylase; Salivary pH.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sample size.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
pH variation in groups (pH Strip).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
pH variation in groups (pH meter).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Amylase variation in groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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