Saliva study of hookah and industrial cigarette users

• Grant number: 24/05924-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Ghislaine Oliveira Alves
• Grantee: Mônica Ghislaine Oliveira Alves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Zelanis Palitot Pereira ; Janete Dias Almeida ; Maíra Terra Garcia ; Paulo Henrique Braz da Silva ; Rodolfo de Paula Vieira

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate saliva samples from individuals who smoke hookah and use industrialized cigarettes. We will analyze salivary proteins, inflammatory response mediators, and the klotho protein, and correlating these changes with cotinine levels as a biomarker of smoking and tobacco consumption data. Additionally, we will investigate the impact of these smoking habits on oral microbial diversity and virulence. Furthermore, we aim to detect the presence of Herpesvirus (HHV) and Papillomavirus (HPV) in the saliva of these individuals. Our sample will consist of three groups: exclusive hookah smokers, exclusive smokers of industrialized cigarettes, and non-smokers. Salivary cotinine levels will be assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), while liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry will be utilized to analyze salivary protein profiles. ELISA testing will also be performed to measure levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-02, IL1beta, TNF-alpha), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ra, IL-10), growth factors (TGF-beta, VEGF), and the klotho protein. We will further explore correlations between salivary protein profiles, inflammatory mediators, cotinine expression, clinical data, and tobacco consumption. Microcosm biofilms will be generated from saliva samples for assessment of total biomass, metabolic activity, and microbial load. Quantitative real-time PCR will be employed for HHV and HPV detection. Statistical analyses will consider a significance threshold of p d 0.05 for all findings. (AU)