Antioxidant activity of blood serum and saliva in patients with periodontal disease treated due to epilepsy.

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to estimate the activity of chosen antioxidants in blood serum and saliva in patients with periodontal disease treated due to epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-five epileptics and fifteen control persons were involved in the study. The activity of selected endogenous antioxidants were determined by spectrophotometric assay. Concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E were measured using liquid chromatography. RESULTS The analysis of the serum and saliva from patients with overgrown gingiva revealed: reduced activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, elevated lipid peroxides, and decreased concentration of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol. All values were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate on the oxidant-antioxidant disturbances in epileptic patients, which can play an important role in the pathomechanism of periodontal disease in these persons. Further studies on the role of antioxidants in patients with epilepsy treated with antiepileptic drugs and afflicted with gingival hyperplasia will be continued.