Date of Award

2022

Department

Department of Endodontics

First Advisor

Dr. David Ojcius

First Committee Member

Mr. Scott Davis

Second Committee Member

Dr. Craig Dunlap

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the varying levels of salivary statherin production in patients with varying levels of risk for diabetes. The goal is to identify a causal relationship and thus, statherin could be used as a preliminary biomarker for identifying patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods: Saliva from 47 participants were collected in order to quantify the levels of statherin production via western blot analysis. Participants were also asked to fill out self-reported questionnaires regarding risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The questionnaire consisted of 7 questions regarding age, sex, history of diabetes, hypertension, level of physical activity, and weight class. Each individual factor as well as total risk for type two diabetes was compared to levels of salivary statherin levels via the unpaired t-test and one way ANOVA testing. Results: Risk factors for type two diabetes such as; age, sex, history of diabetes, hypertension, level of physical activity, and weight class showed no correlation to levels of salivary statherin secretion. All risk factors combined as a total risk level for type two diabetes also did not show a correlation to levels of salivary statherin secretion. Conclusions: It can be concluded in this study that salivary statherin protein does not show a correlation for risk or status of type two diabetes. Salivary statherin does not act as a useful biomarker for detection of type two diabetes.

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