According to a recent study, salivary calprotectin levels were elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, independent of oral health status, suggesting saliva as a potential non-invasive biomarker.
The study, published in Oral Diseases, examined salivary calprotectin levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their relationship to both intestinal and oral diseases. The researchers included 30 patients with IBD and 26 controls, assessing salivary calprotectin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and examining the phenotype of salivary neutrophils via flow cytometry.
Results indicated significantly elevated salivary calprotectin levels in patients with IBD (mean concentration, 14,577 ng/mL) compared with controls (P=0.001), particularly in Crohn’s disease, regardless of oral health status. There was no correlation between salivary and fecal calprotectin levels. Additionally, patients with IBD exhibited neutrophils with reduced CD11b expression (P=0.022) and a tendency to secrete more calprotectin than controls.
The study highlighted that salivary calprotectin levels were elevated in IBD patients independent of oral diseases, suggesting that saliva may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for IBD. Neutrophils in the saliva of patients with IBD showed altered function, possibly reflecting the systemic impact of chronic intestinal inflammation on oral health. These findings contribute to understanding the complex interactions between IBD and oral health, emphasizing the potential of salivary biomarkers in managing IBD.
The researchers declared no potential conflicts of interest.