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01-11-2024 | Review

Saliva metabolomics: concepts and applications in oral disorders

Authors: Pedro Nunes Garcia, Milena Monteiro de Souza, Mario Augusto Izidoro, Luiz Juliano, Silvia Vanessa Lourenço, Cláudia Malheiros Coutinho Camillo

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 11/2024

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Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this review was to present the basic concepts of metabolomics methodology and the use of saliva for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive strategies.

Material and methods

This review followed the focus in: “saliva metabolomics” and “oral diseases”. The authors searched studies on PubMed database. The inclusion criteria were original studies and reviews that assessed metabolomics techniques. A descriptive analysis was performed considering the study design, approach system, clinical steps, and tools for the determination of profile or biomarkers metabolites, and the advantages and disadvantages.

Results

Metabolomic analyses use a combination of analytical instrumentation and informatic tools to provide information on metabolite characteristics. In this review we described different technologies applied and the advantages and limitations of each technique. Furthermore, in the literature search, we retrieved 25 studies that investigated saliva metabolites in oral diseases: 8 studies used targeted analysis and 17 untargeted metabolomics approaches. Most studies included patients with periodontal diseases, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and Sjögren Syndrome. The most frequently reported metabolites were glycine, leucine, phenylalanine, dipeptides, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, tyrosine, choline, taurine, lactate, valine, and proline.

Conclusions

Metabolomics analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for tumor diagnosis and to enhance tumor classification, including salivary gland tumors (SGTs). It also holds promise for developing personalized treatment plans and defining more precise prognostic categories.

Clinical relevance

Metabolomics is the most functional and comprehensive technique for monitoring and understanding gene functions and identifying the biochemical state of an organism in response to genetic and environmental changes.
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Metadata
Title
Saliva metabolomics: concepts and applications in oral disorders
Authors
Pedro Nunes Garcia
Milena Monteiro de Souza
Mario Augusto Izidoro
Luiz Juliano
Silvia Vanessa Lourenço
Cláudia Malheiros Coutinho Camillo
Publication date
01-11-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 11/2024
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-024-05990-y

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