Evaluation of Calcium and Alkaline Phosphatase in the Salivary Samples of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

The quality of life for women after menopause is one of the key health issues today. Rapid bone loss occurs in post-menopausal women due to hormonal factors that lead to an increased risk of fractures. The aim of the study is to evaluate the calcium and Alkaline phosphate levels (ALP) in the salivary samples of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study was conducted with a sample size of 30, with 15 samples from premenopausal women belonging to the age group of 40-46 years and 15 samples from postmenopausal women aged more than 50 years. Calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels were estimated using the commercial kits available which were Spinreact and Accucare alkaline phosphatase respectively. The statistical analysis was done using independent t-test. Saliva was stimulated and biochemical analysis of these salivary samples was done to evaluate the calcium and alkaline phosphatase. Mean salivary calcium in premenopausal women was found to be 7.37±1.141 mg/dl and in postmenopausal women it was found to be  5.19±1.141mg/dl,P=0.000(p<0.05). Mean salivary ALP levels in premenopausal women was found to be 10.81±3.295 mg/dl and in postmenopausal women was found to be 33.58±3.295 mg/dl, P=0.001(p <0.05), hence statistically significant. Within the limitations of the study, it was found that  calcium were found to be significantly more in premenopausal women when compared to postmenopausal women, while alkaline phosphatase levels were increased in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women. Hence, salivary calcium and ALP levels can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of bone diseases as it is a non-invasive technique.