Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Activity of Serum and Salivary a-Amylase in Habitual Adult Tobacco Consumers

Moutawakilou Gomina, Leila Badirou and Simon Ayeleroun Akpona

Introduction: Tobacco consumption alters many biological parameters, as well as α-amylase activity. This research work aims to study the activity of serum and salivary alpha-amylase in habitual adult tobacco consumers. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study on 234 adults (54 smokers, 60 snuffers, 60 chewers and 60 tobacco non-consumers). Serum and salivary alpha-amylase was measured using kinetic enzymatic method. ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare averages according to cases. Linear regression enabled to establish relationships between duration of consumption, quantity of tobacco consumption, as well as serum and salivary α-amylase activity. Results and conclusion: The mean activity of serum (UI/L) and salivary (104 UI/L) alpha-amylase was respectively 110.53 ± 73.35 and 17.34 ± 17 for smokers, 109.69 ± 58.20 and 9.90 ± 9.44 for snuffers, 92.63 ± 48.84 and 5.61 ± 5.38 for chewers and 120.14 ± 71.99 and 8.73 ± 6.14 for tobacco non-consumers. A significant difference was observed as regards salivary alpha-amylase between smokers and chewers (p<0.001), and between snuffers and chewers (p=0.002). The mean activity of serum and salivary alpha-amylase was substantially higher in tobacco non-consumers than in chewers (p=0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Correlation was lower and significant in chewers between mean activity, salivary alpha-amylase and duration of tobacco consumption (r=0.35; inclination p=0.006). Serum and salivary alpha-amylase activity varies according to tobacco consumption mode. Subsequent studies are required to specify the mechanisms put at stake.