Objective: To determine the involvement of oxidative stress in the salivary gland of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS).
Methods: Oxidative damage to the gland was measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and hexanoyl-lysine (HEL) using the SS saliva. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (m-GOT), both general markers for cell damage, were also analyzed.
Results: Increased levels of 8-OHdG and HEL were found in the saliva of SS patients, but not in that of patients with other salivary gland dysfunction or of healthy individuals. Levels of LDH and m-GOT were significantly correlated with 8-OHdG and HEL levels, respectively. Furthermore, the increased levels of 8-OHdG and HEL were also correlated in the SS saliva.
Conclusion: These findings suggested the involvement of oxidative stress in glandular tissue destruction in SS. It was indicated that the detection of 8-OHdG and HEL in the saliva may become a useful tool for the diagnosis of SS.
Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.