Researchers measure biomarkers as a reflection of patient health status or intervention outcomes.While blood is generally regarded\nas the best body fluid for evaluation of systemic processes, substitution of saliva samples for blood would be less invasive and more\nconvenient. The concentration of specific biomarkers may differ between blood and saliva. The objective of this study was to\ncompare multiple biomarkers (27 cytokines) in plasma samples, passive drool saliva samples, and filter paper saliva samples in\n50 healthy adults. Demographic data and three samples were obtained from each subject: saliva collected on filter paper over 1\nminute, saliva collected by passive drool over 30 seconds, and venous blood (3 mL) collected by venipuncture. Cytokines were\nassayed using Bio-Rad multiplex suspension array technology. Descriptive statistics and pairwise correlations were used for data\nanalysis. The sample was 52% male and 74% white. Mean age was 26 (range = 19ââ?¬â??63 years, sd = 9.7). The most consistent and\nhighest correlations were between the passive drool and filter paper saliva samples, although relationships were dependent on the\nspecific biomarker. Correlations were not robust enough to support substitution of one collection method for another. There was\nlittle correlation between the plasma and passive drool saliva samples. Caution should be used in substituting saliva for blood, and\nrelationships differ by biomarker.
Loading....