Salivary amylase activity in chronic smokers and health people

Abstract

In this study, saliva and sera amylase levels were measured to different groups who have been working in tobacco processing factory, for a long time. Groups were addicted to smoking (37 male, 13 women; total 50 tobacco workers, age; 43 ± 5) with the same range of age nonsmoking (13 male, 11 woman; total 24 healthy people, age; 42 ± 4). Saliva amylase, protein and pH with pancreatic amylase, sera protein and total sera amylase levels were compared in these groups. Saliva amylase, pH and pancreatic amylase, sera protein with total sera amylase levels were not significantly different in both group (p > 0.05). But, saliva protein value was significantly higher in working group (1.73 ± 0.3 mg/ml) than health control group (0.58 ± 0.1 mg/ml). However, saliva amylase specific activity level was significantly lower in working group (4.06 ± 0.7 IU/mg saliva protein) than control group (12.2 ± 1.5 IU/mg saliva protein) (p < 0.01).