OBJECTIVETo analyze the effect of age and gender on sulfhydryl compounds content in saliva and plasma in healthy population and to study the relationship between sulfhydryl compounds content of saliva and plasma to provide a basis for clinical examination of saliva sulfhydryl compounds.

METHODSSulfhydryl compounds content of saliva and plasma were measured in 306 healthy adults from the Department of Clinical Laboratory of Health Management lnstitute of General Hospital of Chinese PLA (151 female and 155 male) who were divided into young group (20-44 years old, n = 106, 48 female and 58 male), middle-aged group (45-59 years old, n = 109, 63 female and 46 male) and elderly group (60-79 years old, n = 91, 40 female and 51 male).

RESULTSSulfhydryl compounds content in saliva and plasma in 306 healthy adults were (123±27) and (427±124) µmol/L respectively. Sulfhydryl compounds content in saliva and plasma were significantly decreased as age increased (both P < 0.01). Significant differences of sulfhydryl compounds content of saliva and plasma among the young group, middle-aged group and elderly group were found (P < 0.01). No sex difference was observed in saliva sulfhydryl compounds content (P = 0.451), however the sex difference was significant in plasma sulfhydryl compounds content (P = 0.006). There was a significantly positive correlation between sulfhydryl compounds content in saliva and plasma (r = 0.5050, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSaliva sulfhydryl compounds content can roughly reflect plasma sulfhydryl compounds content. Saliva sulfhydryl compounds test is a promising biological index of aging which could be an alternative of plasma test.