Biological age markers in solid-phase structures of the oral fluid

Abstract

Markers of aging known today do not clearly define the biological age of the organism, which creates the need for their further search. The oral fluid is a convenient object for such studies, since it contains proteins whose conformation corresponds to the age of the organism. The method developed by the authors allows, by transferring biological fluids into a solid phase, to transform the structure of the molecular-level components dissolved in them to a level accessible to visual analysis. The aim of the study is to search for markers of biological age in the solid-phase structures of the oral fluid. Materials and methods. The structures of the solid phase oral fluid of 240 people with a sanitized oral cavity were studied. There are four age groups of 60 patients each: middle age; elderly; senile and long-livers. Oral fluid was taken in the morning on an empty stomach. The method of cuneiform dehydration of biological fluids was used. Dehydration of drops of oral fluid was carried out on special test cards under standard conditions. As a result, dry films (facies) were obtained, the structural features of which were examined by microscopy. Results. The structure of oral fluid facies is determined by the ratio of salt and organic substances present in it. During the formation of a facies, salts bind to proteins that have an abnormal conformation. In middle-aged patients, the facies have a clear division into saline and marginal (protein) zones. With age (elderly and senile age), due to the increased activity of catabolic processes, in the facies of the oral fluid, an increasing area is occupied by organic substances, and the areas occupied by salts decrease, while the facies lose their physiological structuring. At the same time, the facies of the oral fluid of most long-livers retain a structure similar to the facies of middle-aged representatives. Conclusions. The biological age of the organism is determined by the level of its autointoxication by proteins with pathological conformation. Autotoxins are contained in the oral fluid and are manifested in the structure of its facies. Due to natural age-related metabolic shifts towards an increase in catabolic processes, the protective systems that block autointoxication by metabolites cease to provide their complete neutralization, which is reflected in the facies structure. Facies of the oral fluid of long-livers have a fundamentally different structure compared with the facies of the elderly and senile persons, indicating a low degree of autointoxication of the organism of long-livers, which determines a longer life span. Thus, specific solid phase structures of oral fluid facies can be used as objective markers of biological age.