Salivary EGF Levels Are Elevated in Adolescents with T2DM

Objective: The most common growth factor in saliva is epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF appears to have a critical role in the maintenance of tissue health and wound healing. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), periodontal health, and the levels of salivary EGF in an adolescent population.

Methods: This cross-sectional clinical study consisted of a total of 55 subjects. Test subjects were diagnosed with T2DM and undergoing treatment at The Texas Children's Hospital Diabetic Care Clinic with siblings serving as systemically healthy controls (non-DM). Whole unstimulated saliva samples were collected prior to a periodontal examination. An ELISA assay was used to determine the concentration of EGF in the saliva samples

Results: Clinically, a significant difference was seen between T2DM and non-DM subjects in both PD (p=0.037) and CAL (p=0.012). A significantly higher percentage of sites with BOP were seen in T2DM subjects with poorer glycemic control (47.6% vs. 22.3%; p=0.027).  A significant correlation was also seen between duration of diabetes and BOP (p=0.018; r = 0.524). Mean salivary EGF levels were 3,107 pg/ml (±1,626) for T2DM subjects and 1,459 (±992) for non-DM subjects, this being statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In this study population a diagnosis of T2DM was associated with an increased level of salivary EGF and may be associated with the increased attachment loss and inflammation associated with periodontal disease.

This study was funded in part by PHS NIH NCRR GCRC M01RR002558.