Background: To date, no evidence exists in the literature as to the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) on salivary composition in patients with bronchial asthma.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ICs on salival composition.
Methods: Adult patients attending an outpatient respiratory clinic who were classified into two groups (controls and patients with bronchial asthma receiving ICs), were recruited in this cross-sectional study. For each participant, data of clinical records, baseline history of asthma, and regular IC dose were recorded. A sample of stimulated saliva was collected and processed for investigation of mucin 5B (MUC5B), lipoxygenase (LPO), total antioxidant capacity, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels.
Results: Overall, 103 patients (49 controls and 54 patients receiving regular treatment with ICs) were recruited. No differences in comorbidities or smoking habits were observed. Patients treated with high-doses of ICs showed lower levels of salival MUC5B compared with those treated with medium IC doses or those not treated with ICs (1.60 vs. 2.20 vs. 2.53 ng/mL; p = 0.042).
Conclusion: In patients with asthma, treatment with high-doses of ICs is associated with reduced levels of salivary MUC5B. This effect can explain some of the effects of ICs on oral health.