Identification and quantitative assessment of human dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in saliva and its co-relation with skeletal age

• Author Details:   
• Anushka Kumari
• Ameet Vaman Revankar ^*

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Background and Objectives: Evaluation of the accurate skeletal maturity status is one of the most important tool in treatment planning in orthodontics. Over the decades, various methods have emerged for correct estimation of skeletal maturity. In the recent years, biomarkers has gained popularity as it is a non-invasive technique. DHEAS is one of the biomarker which has a role in triggering growth and proliferation of epiphyseal cartilage, augment bone density and also plays role in prompting pituitary and hypothalamus to start its action. Thus, this cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the salivary level of DHEAS and co-relate it with different skeletal age as determined by hand wrist radiograph using the Hagg and Taranger method and projecting it as a potential non-invasive tool for assessment of skeletal age.

Materials and Methods: Right hand wrist radiographs and unstimulated saliva samples were collected from routine 80 patients visiting to SDM College of Dental Sciences under their consent. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected by “passive drool” method. Unstimulated saliva samples were stored at -800⁰C and were assayed by Human DHEAS ELISA kit. According to skeletal age determined by hand wrist radiograph, 80 subjects were divided into 5 skeletal groups classified by Hagg and Taranger method; S-0, S-1, MP-3, DP-3 and R-J. Data thus obtained were subjected to suitable statistical analysis.

Results: DHEAS level in saliva increased in accordance with the skeletal maturation with in females in general showing higher concentration than males. However, there was significant high concentration of DHEAS in males than females at R-J stage was observed which might be due to influence of both body weight of the patient on DHEAS level. Maximum increase in level of DHEAS was observed at S-1 stage, marking adrenarche and followed by gradual increase in level.

Interpretation and Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between DHEAS and skeletal maturation as there is significant increase in DHEAS level in saliva with advancing skeletal maturation. Thus, the study confirms that DHEAS has a role in skeletal maturation and can be used potentially more sensitive and reliable biomarker for assessing growth. However weight being the limitation of the study, further longitudinal studies involving weight as a variable should be carried out to further support this hypothesis.