As a tissue fluid, saliva does not contain a number of transport blood proteins. Hormones and growth factors, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), are in a free state in saliva, which means that they are directly involved in endocrine regulation. They enter the saliva in equivalent amounts with the whole blood. Changes in hormones level and growth factors circulating in the bloodstream are also reflected in their content in saliva. Currently, according to the RAE clinical recommendations on acromegaly, growth retardation in children, the determination of the content of IGF-1 in the blood is mandatory (level of evidence 2, class of recommendations B). Determination of IGF-1 in saliva could characterize the state of the somatotropic hormone-IGF-1 system in terms of diagnosis and treatment control of stunting and acromegaly, and to assess biological age, the risk of sarcopenia, the regenerative potential of a person, the risk of malignant diseases development.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between the level of IGF-1 in saliva and blood serum in a group of practically healthy people.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study included 14 healthy volunteers (7 men and 7 women, age 41.9±3.8 years). Serum and saliva levels of IGF-1 (ELISA, produced by Mediagnost) were determined. The saliva albumin was determined (reaction with bromcresol green). The ratio of IGF-1/albumin in saliva was calculated.
RESULTS
The level (Me [Q1-Q3]) of IGF-1 in the blood serum was 158.0 [144.1; 181.2] ng/ml, in saliva 1.9 [1.7; 2.2] ng/ml, respectively. The level of albumin in saliva was 0.33 [0.29; 0.46] g/l, the ratio of IGF-1 and albumin in saliva was 5.5 [4.5; 6.8] mg/g.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study demonstrate the possibility of using the definition of IGF-1 in saliva. Further research is needed to determine the level of IGF-1 in different age groups, as well as in various diseases.
