Summary
Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the variability of the level of copper, zinc
and manganese in saliva amongst women with hypoestrogenia, treated and untreated with
hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 60 women treated and untreated with HRT. Half
of the patients were after natural menopause and other half was after surgical removal
of ovaries. Research on micronutrients in non-stimulated saliva and blood serum was
carried out in 2005. Tests on saliva were repeated in 2010. Investigation of bone
mineral density (BMD) of femoral bone was performed in year 2010.
Results: Statistical analysis of concentration of copper and zinc revealed a linear correlation
between the levels of these microelements in blood serum and saliva. The study revealed
that HRT has a beneficial effect on BMD and the concentration of copper and manganese
in saliva and blood serum of patients after the menopause. Patients treated with HRT
showed higher BMD values than groups not treated with hormones.
Conclusions: Saliva appears to be a promising diagnostic material which can be used to analyze
the content of trace elements, but further research should be carried out on a broader
research group.
Keywords
Hypoestrogenia - postmenopausal osteoporosis - copper - zinc - manganese - HRT