Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 14, Issue 4 (Autumn 2025)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2025, 14(4): 280-285 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Arunmozhi A, Davidson S S P, Kumar B S, Lakshmi S J, Keerthana S. Salivary Antioxidant Potential and Oral Lesions in Thermal Power Plant Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2025; 14 (4) :280-285
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-1035-en.html
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-1035-en.html
Related article in
Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Similar articles
Anbirselvam Arunmozhi1 
, Sundersingh Sam Ponraj Davidson *2 , Balasubramanian Senthil Kumar3 , Suman Jhansi Lakshmi4 , Selvam Keerthana5
, Sundersingh Sam Ponraj Davidson *2 , Balasubramanian Senthil Kumar3 , Suman Jhansi Lakshmi4 , Selvam Keerthana5
1- M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, K.S.R Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India.
2- M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Senior Lecturer, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. ,sam@ksridsr.edu.in
3- Professor and Head, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India.
4- Professor, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India.
5- M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Reader, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India
2- M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Senior Lecturer, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. ,
3- Professor and Head, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India.
4- Professor, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India.
5- M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Reader, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India
Article history
Received: 2025/03/12
Accepted: 2025/09/14
ePublished: 2025/12/13
Accepted: 2025/09/14
ePublished: 2025/12/13
Subject:
Occupational Health
Abstract: (42 Views)
Background: Air pollution affects the neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systems, posing serious health risks. Lead is a common industrial contaminant that damages tissues, including saliva, and induces oxidative stress. Thermal power plant workers are particularly vulnerable due to occupational exposure. Saliva, the first line of defense against oxidative stress, contains antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This study aimed to evaluate salivary antioxidant potential and the prevalence of oral lesions among thermal power plant workers, and to assess the impact of occupational oxidative exposure.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-two individuals were included: twenty-six thermal power plant workers (Group I) and twenty-six controls (Group II). Saliva samples at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% concentrations were analyzed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Samples were stored at -20°C. Intraoral examinations recorded oral lesions.
Results: Across all concentrations, Group I's mean TAC values were consistently lower than Group II's, although the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Group I's TAC ranged from 1.52 to 3.07 at each concentration level, which was marginally lower than Group II's 2.29 to 3.37 range. Three of the 26 employees at the thermal power plant had oral lesions, whereas none in the control group did.
Conclusion: Thermal power plant workers exhibit lower salivary antioxidant levels, indicating a heightened risk of oxidative stress and related health issues.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-two individuals were included: twenty-six thermal power plant workers (Group I) and twenty-six controls (Group II). Saliva samples at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% concentrations were analyzed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Samples were stored at -20°C. Intraoral examinations recorded oral lesions.
Results: Across all concentrations, Group I's mean TAC values were consistently lower than Group II's, although the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Group I's TAC ranged from 1.52 to 3.07 at each concentration level, which was marginally lower than Group II's 2.29 to 3.37 range. Three of the 26 employees at the thermal power plant had oral lesions, whereas none in the control group did.
Conclusion: Thermal power plant workers exhibit lower salivary antioxidant levels, indicating a heightened risk of oxidative stress and related health issues.
Keywords: Air Pollution [MeSH], Occupational Exposure [MeSH], Environmental Toxicology [MeSH], Oxidative Stress [MeSH]
References
1. Ahmadi Y, Tonkaboni A, Sargeran K, Mohammadnia A, Eghbali-Zarch R, Shamshiri AR. Evaluation of salivary enzymes and oral lesions among gas station workers compared to nearby shopkeepers in Tehran. J Contemp Med Sci. 2018;4(3):144-7. [URL]
2. Frank RM, Sargentini-Maier ML, Turlot JC, Leroy MJ. Comparison of lead levels in human permanent teeth from Strasbourg, Mexico City, and rural zones of Alsace. J Dent Res. 1990;69(1):90-3. [DOI] [PMID]
3. Cleymaet R, Bottenberg P, Slop D, Clara R, Coomans D. Study of lead and cadmium content of surface enamel of schoolchildren from an industrial area in Belgium. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1991;19(2):107-11. [DOI] [PMID]
4. Cleymaet R, Bottenberg P, Retief DH, Slop D, Michotte Y, Coomans D. In vivo use of a dual acid etch biopsy for the evaluation of lead profiles in human surface enamel. Caries Res. 1991;25(4):256-63. [DOI] [PMID]
5. Karahalil B, Aykanat B, Ertas N. Dental lead levels in children from two different urban and suburban areas of Turkey. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2007;210(2):107-12. [DOI] [PMID]
6. Yadav Rao K, Parthasarathi Reddy P, Shakeel Anjum MD, Monica M, Irram A, Sai Pravallika T. Oral health status of thermal power plant workers in Ramagundam, Telangana state, India - A cross-sectional study. Int J Curr Res. 2017;9(2):46190-3 [URL]
7. Al-Souz BT, Al-Obaidi WA. Salivary antioxidants in relation to dental caries among a group of lead-acid batteries factory workers. J Baghdad Coll Dent. 2015;27(1):159-63. [DOI]
8. Sebastià N, Olivares-González L, Montoro A, Barquinero JF, Canyada-Martinez AJ, Hervás D, et al. Redox status, dose and antioxidant intake in healthcare workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(9):778. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
9. Peluso I, Raguzzini A. Salivary and Urinary Total Antioxidant Capacity as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Humans. Patholog Res Int. 2016;2016:5480267. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
10. Maciejczyk M, Szulimowska J, Taranta-Janusz K, Werbel K, Wasilewska A, Zalewska A. Salivary FRAP as a marker of chronic kidney disease progression in children. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(9):409. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
11. Greabu M, Didilescu A, Puiu L, Miricescu D, Totan A. Salivary antioxidant biomarkers in non-ferrous metals mine workers - a pilot study. J Oral Pathol Med. 2012;41(6):490-3. [DOI] [PMID]
12. Sakhvidi MJZ, Zarei A, Hachesu VR, Zolfaghari A. Evaluating the relationship between the respiratory exposure to the benzene with the primary damages of deoxyribonucleic acid and total antioxidant capacity in one of the oil companies in Iran. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2022;29(32):48340-6. [DOI] [PMID]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. |
