[The activity of antioxidant enzymes in the saliva of normal children].

Salivary total antioxidant activity and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione transferase were measured in 30 normal children with different salivary gland functioning in different seasons. The activities of all the examined enzymes were detected in the saliva. Studies of nonstimulated saliva are recommended to define the normal values and to develop diagnostic tests on the basis of estimation of peroxidation and antioxidant defense parameters.