Doina Chioran, Ioan-Alexandru Simerea, Ramona Dumitrescu, Antonia Sabo-Meze, Lucian Floare, Delia Abrudan-Luca, Vanessa Bolchis, Paula Diana Ciordas, Octavia Balean
ABSTRACT
Saliva, a non-invasive and accessible biological fluid, has emerged as a valuable medium for monitoring health and disease. This study explores the impact of smoking on the total antioxidant capacity of saliva (TAC), a critical defense against oxidative stress. Conducted as a cross-sectional study from December 2022 to February 2023, the research involved students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Timișoara. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected using standardized procedures to ensure reliability and analyzed with a Trolox-based antioxidant test kit (ab65329, Abcam). Among the 70 participants, 40% identified as smokers, with varying cigarette consumption patterns. Results demonstrated that smoking significantly reduced salivary antioxidant levels, indicating a depletion of natural defenses against free radicals. Smokers exhibited a lower TAC compared to non-smokers, supporting a strong causal relationship between smoking and oxidative stress. These findings highlight smoking’s detrimental effects on systemic antioxidant status and oral health, underscoring the necessity for targeted preventive strategies and interventions to mitigate associated health risks. This study contributes to the growing evidence that smoking compromises biological defense systems, with implications for broader health outcomes and public health policy.
DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.1.17.52
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab