Effects of academic stress on the levels of oral volatile sulfur compounds, halitosis-related bacteria and stress biomarkers of healthy female undergraduate students

To investigate whether academic stress changes the salivary microbiota and its relationship with
salivary parameters, evaluating the effects on the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in
healthy women. Fifty-five women who were enrolled in a four-year Dentistry course were assessed for
academic stress by the questionnaire Maslach Burnout Inventory —Student Survey and were then
classified into ‘Not Stressed’ and ‘Stressed’ groups. Cortisol and alpha-amylase (AA) were measured
as physiological stress biomarkers. Oral Chroma ™ gas chromatograph was used to measure
concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide. Salivary proteins
were evaluated by western blot. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the
salivary amounts of halitosis-associated bacteria. The ‘Stressed’ volunteers showed higher levels of
H 2 S, AA, Fusobacterium nucleatum and total bacteria, compared to the ‘Not Stressed’ individ...

Source: Journal of Breath Research - July 1, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Patricia Oliveira De Lima, Bruno Dias Nani, Gustavo Satollo Rolim, Francisco Carlos Groppo, Michelle Franz-Montan, Antonio Bento Alves De Moraes, Karina Cogo-M üller and Fernanda Klein Marcondes Source Type: research