Association of Salivary Statherin, Calcium, and Proline-Rich Proteins: A Potential Predictive Marker of Dental Caries

BACKGROUND: Salivary factors modulate the balanced dynamic mineralization process of the dental enamel. Salivary proteins such as statherin and acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) protect oral surfaces by regulating oral calcium homeostasis and remineralization of enamel. Thus, they possibly play vital roles in dental caries. AIM: The present study aims to find the association of salivary statherin, proline-rich protein, and calcium levels with dental caries. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 188 healthy participants (age between 18 and 50 years), from dental clinic of MAHSA University, Malaysia. Dental caries was measured using standard WHO criteria. Stimulated whole mouth saliva was collected, and salivary statherin, acidic PRP (aPRP), and calcium levels were estimated using ELISA Kit and calorimetric assay kit, respectively. Data were analyzed using Spearman's rho and Pearson's correlation coefficient (SPSS statistical package-version 25.0) to find correlation of salivary statherin, calcium, and proline-rich protein levels with dental caries. RESULTS: A statistically significant (P < 0.001) moderate negative correlation (r = −0.500) was found between salivary statherin and proline-rich protein levels. There was no statistically significant association of dental caries with salivary statherin, calcium, and aPRP levels. CONCLUSION: Salivary statherin and aPRP levels appear to perform mutually complementing functions and thus may have potential role in the maintenance of tooth integrity.