Assessments of salivary antioxidant activity using electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Rat salivary antioxidant activity towards O2− was up-regulated by the inflammatory response caused by P. gingivalis infection. Similar response was recognized in human saliva with periodontal index. Additionally, a linear correlation between antioxidant activity towards O2− and SOD activity was verified by ESR technique. Therefore, evaluation of the salivary antioxidant activity towards O2− might be an effective parameter for the objective assessment of periodontal disease progression.