Dental caries is a multifactorial disease mainly caused by cariogenic bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity. Dental caries may cause demineralization of the tooth, cavitation, hypersensitivity, pulp inflammation, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Saliva secreted in the oral cavity can serve as a tool for identification of biomarkers for early detection of diseases. In the present study, differential expression of salivary proteins from 33 dental caries patients was compared with 10 control subjects. The unstimulated saliva was analyzed by 12% SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Gelatin and casein zymography was performed to check for protease activity. Also, salivary IgAs from both groups were compared by sandwich ELISA technique. Dental caries patient’s saliva showed decreased caseinolytic and increased gelatinolytic activity probably due to metalloproteases and cathepsins. Mean salivary levels of sIgA were also significantly higher ( p < 0.018 ) in dental caries saliva samples. The 2D electrophoresis profile of both the groups showed regions on gel with visually detectable alterations in protein expression. The present study is among the few initial studies in the locality for identification of protein differences in saliva from dental caries patients and has demonstrated a good potential to identify alterations. However, a large population-based analysis is required to validate these findings to be translated as a tool for indicative applications.

Introduction: The tooth decay or dental caries is a disease that results in imbalance in mineralization process of the tooth, cavitation and sensitivity as well as pulp infection that leading to inflammation and eventually tooth loose. Saliva which is in direct contact with the dentine, can serve as a medium for analysis of components or factors that show the difference in normal healthy and disease conditions. Methodology: Here, a biochemical analysis of individual saliva samples from healthy control and caries patients were carried out to see the differences in protein profiles. The unstimulated saliva samples were analyzed through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D gel), zymography and secretary IgA (sIgA) antibody ELISA procedure. Results: Differences were observed in individual samples not only in polymorphic band pattern on SDS-PAGE gels but also in activity of proteases in the saliva and the concentration of sIgA antibody. Conclusion: These were the initial results obtained from the study that was further optimized and evaluated with accuracy and reported elsewhere with statistical figures.