HIV infection, as opposed to antiretroviral therapy, does not cause changes in the concentration levels of specific salivary electrolytes

The concentration levels of salivary calcium, magnesium and zinc can vary in different localized oral, as well as systemic diseases and conditions. So far changes in the concentration levels of specific electrolytes in stimulated parotid saliva in HIV-positive/AIDS patients have been proven. The objective of this research was not only to study the concentration levels of calcium in non-stimulated total saliva, but also the concentration levels of magnesium and zinc, which have not been studied so far, and the influence of antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This research was conducted on 60 healthy subjects with an average age of 40.4 years, and 60 HIV-positive patients with an average age of 43.7 years, 45 of whom took HAART therapy. The concentration levels of calcium, magnesium and zinc in saliva were determined by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No significant differences in the levels of excreted saliva/5 minutes (p = 0.116), the concentration levels of salivary calcium (p = 0.713), magnesium (p = 0.600), nor zinc (p = 0.162) were found between HIV-positive patients and the control group. No any correlation was determined between all three types of electrolytes and the number of CD4+ cells, nor the number of HIV-virus copies in peripheral blood of patients. Within the HIV-positive group, with respect to HAART therapy, no differences were found in the concentration levels of salivary magnesium (p = 0.588), nor zinc (p = 0.096). However, the concentration levels of salivary calcium were significantly higher in HIV-positive patients who underwent HAART treatment (p = 0.004). The results of this research show that HIV, as a systematic infection, does not cause changes in the excretion of magnesium, zinc nor calcium in non-stimulated total saliva. Furthermore, it has been proven that HAART treatment does not cause changes in the concentration levels of magnesium or zinc, but can cause an elevation in the concentration level of saliva, which could be related to the calcium mobilization in blood.