Salivary Flow, Biochemical Profile and Selected Antibacterial Properties of Saliva in Menopausal Women

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical and antibacterial properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 menopausal women and 22 premenopausal women assigned to the control group. Laboratory analyses included the assessment of unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH, concentration of total protein, lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium. Only participants with clinically healthy periodontal tissues were included in the study. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate, total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium; however, no statistically significant differences for pH, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA values were found. The unstimulated salivary flow rate parameter in the study group was significantly lower than in premenopausal women. Concentrations of total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium in saliva of menopausal women were distinctly higher than in the control group. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate a distinct alteration in salivary homeostasis characterized by significantly reduced salivary flow and increased concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphate, and total protein between menopausal and premenopausal women. It suggests that menopause may predominantly affect the quantitative secretion and physicochemical composition of saliva rather than causing a generalized impairment of its antimicrobial and immune components. Longitudinal studies that control for age and other relevant factors, including menopausal duration, hormone therapy, and periodontal status, and that evaluate both salivary concentrations and individual analyte output rates are needed to clarify which salivary changes are independently associated with menopause and to determine their clinical relevance to oral health.