Correlation of Carbonic Anhydrase VI Enzyme, Total Proteins, Antioxidant Levels of Saliva and Dental Caries in Caries-Free and Caries-Active Children – A Case–Control Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Factors in the biofilm influence the induction and advancement of the carious process. This study was done to relate and assess the levels of enzyme carbonic anhydrase VI, total protein, and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, lipid peroxidase, and uric acid) in caries-free and caries-active children. METHODS: This case–control study comprised 60 children of age group 6–12 years who were evaluated for decayed missing filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT criteria and distributed into two groups: Group 1 – caries active (case) and Group 2 – caries free (control) for saliva collection with 30 participants in each of the above groups. Stimulated saliva was obtained, and the samples were then evaluated using biochemical lab tests. The data were then statistically evaluated using independent t-test. RESULTS: Catalase in the caries-free group was significantly higher, but the concentration of carbonic anhydrase (CAVI) enzyme, total protein, and other antioxidant enzyme activity was enhanced in caries-active children in which uric acid demonstrated a statistically significant difference with higher levels in caries-active group. CONCLUSION: There is an increased concentration of CAVI enzyme in caries-active group and total protein showed a linear relation with caries activity. Antioxidant parameters such as SOD and lipid peroxidase were increased with caries activity. Uric acid was significantly higher in the caries-active group, whereas catalase showed an indirect relation with dental caries. Significant variations in the levels of these parameters imply that the levels of these components of saliva can act as strong markers of caries status in children.