Evaluation of Saliva Melatonin Levels in Head-neck Radiotherapy Patients

Abstract

Objective: Melatonin (MT), which performs many missions such as the activation of the immune system, regulation of the body's circadian rhythm and body temperature, is a powerful antioxidant. This study investigated the impact of radiation on the saliva MT level in individuals with head and neck cancer.Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients receiving head and neck radiotherapy were included in the study. The MT levels were measured in salivary samples taken from these patients before and after radiotherapy and in salivary samples taken from thirty healthy individuals who had no radiotherapy. Paired t-test and Student's t-test were used in the analysis of the data obtained.Results: When the saliva MT levels were compared before and after radiotherapy in the patient group, although there was a decrease after radiotherapy, there was not found a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Additionally, although the saliva MT levels before and after radiotherapy were determined to be lower than the control group, there was no significant (p>0.05).Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference, the important decrease in saliva MT levels after radiotherapy in the patient group will enable us to understand more clearly the effect of ionizing radiation on saliva MT level.