Salivary Enzymes in Chronic Periodontitis

Saliva has been discussed as an important biological material for the purpose of introducing new diagnostic tests. The important enzymes associated with cell injury and cell death are aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST, ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Changes in the activity of these enzymes reflect metabolic changes in the gingiva and periodontium in inflammation. In the present study, there was a significant difference in the levels of salivary enzymes in patients of either group and a significant decrease in these levels was found after nonsurgical therapy in the study group. This implies that the detection of these enzymes may be a reliable predictor of periodontal tissue destruction and a measure of the response to nonsurgical periodontal therapy.