Salivary lysozyme in smoking alcohol dependent persons

Abstract

The purpose of the study was evaluation the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication and smoking, on the concentration and output of salivary lysozyme. In the study participated 37 persons, consisted of 17 male smoking patients after chronic alcohol intoxication (AS), and 20 control nonsmoking male social drinkers (CNS) with no history of alcohol abuse or smoking. For all participants the DMFT index (decayed, missing, or filled teeth), gingival index (GI) and papilla bleeding index (PBI) were assessed. Resting whole saliva was collected 24 to 48 hours after chronic alcohol intoxication period. Level of lysozyme was assessed by radial immunodiffusion method. The differences between groups were evaluated using Mann-Whitney “U” test. Salivary flow (SF) was significantly lower in smoking alcohol dependent persons than in the control group. It was found a tendency to increase in the concentration of lysozyme and significantly lower lysozyme output in smoking persons chronically intoxicated by alcohol, as compared to the control group. Gingival index was significantly higher in smoking alcohol dependent persons than in the control group, whereas there were no significant differences in PBI and DMFT indexes between these groups. There were no significant correlations between the amount/number and length of alcohol consumption as well as cigarette smoking, and the concentration as well as the output of lysozyme. There were also no significant correlations between salivary lysozyme output/concentration and SF. In conclusion, reduced salivary flow and salivary lysozyme output may impair innate immunity of the oral cavity. Reduced levels of salivary flow and salivary lysozyme output seem to be more likely to be the result of ethanol action than smoking. We confirmed that persons addicted to alcohol and cigarettes have worse periodontal condition than general population, which partially may be due to the decreased protective effect of reduced salivary flow and lysozyme output.