SALIVARY OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS AND ORAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Authors

  • Mihaela ROTARU Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
  • H. MINEA Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • Ana-Maria SINGEAP Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • S. CHIRIAC Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • A. CIOBICA Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
  • Anca TRIFAN Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22551/

Abstract

The oral cavity and the intestine are interconnected through shared microbial and immunological pathways, supporting a bidirectional relationship between oral health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oral pathological conditions are more prevalent and severe in IBD, while oxidative stress represents a key mechanistic link between oral and intestinal inflammation. However, salivary oxidative stress biomarkers remain insufficiently characterized in IBD, and comparative data with healthy controls are limited. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated adult participants at a single time point, who underwent standardized oral examinations and unstimulated saliva collection. Salivary oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total protein levels, were assessed using validated biochemical methods. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between salivary biomarkers and clinical dental indices in patients with clinically active IBD, compared with a healthy control group. Results: In patients with active IBD, salivary oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, GPx, MDA) and total protein levels showed weak, non-significant associations with oral health indices. MDA demonstrated modest positive trends with caries experience (DMFT; r ≈ 0.45) and periodontal status (PDI; r ≈ 0.54), while SOD and GPx showed minimal correlations across oral parameters (all p > 0.05). Compared with controls, patients with IBD showed lower mean salivary SOD and GPx activities and higher MDA levels; however, these intergroup differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Salivary oxidative stress biomarkers were not significantly correlated with dental indices in patients with active IBD. Nevertheless, the observed trends for MDA suggest that lipid peroxidation may more closely reflect the shared chronic inflammatory burden affecting oral and intestinal tissues, warranting further investigation in larger, adequately powered studies.

Author Biographies

  • H. MINEA, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
    Sf. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Iasi, Romania

  • Ana-Maria SINGEAP, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
    Sf. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Iasi, Romania
    CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, Iasi, Romania

  • S. CHIRIAC, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
    Sf. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Iasi, Romania

  • A. CIOBICA, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania

    CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, Iasi, Romania
    Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
    Center of Biomedical Research / Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch
    Ioan Haulica Institute / Apollonia University, Iasi, Romania

  • Anca TRIFAN, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
    Sf. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Iasi, Romania

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Additional Files

Published

2026-04-01

Issue

Vol. 130 No. 1 (2026): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS

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