CHANGES IN THE ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF THE ORAL FLUID IN STUDENTS DURING THE APPRENTICESHIP

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to assess changes in the antioxidant status of the oral fluid in students training for “woodworking machine operator” during apprenticeship. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four male students of secondary vocational education, aged 18–19, took part in the trial. The total antioxidant activity, the enzyme activity of the antioxidant defense system – superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, the content of TBA-active products, namely, malondialdehyde, were determined in students’ oral fluid before and after a 3-month apprenticeship. Results. After apprenticeship, an increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity by 3.6 and 6.7 times relative to initial indicators was found in the oral fluid of students respectively. A decrease in the glutathione peroxidase activity by 5.3 times was also observed. The revealed changes were observed against the background of the overall balance of pro- and antioxidants in the oral fluid. Conclusion. The data obtained confirmed that any apprenticeship is accompanied by stress, in particular, oxidative stress. However, its main manifestations are balanced by an increase in the enzyme activity of the antiradical protection system. The revealed changes indicate the necessity to assess the nonspecific resistance system in students during apprenticeship and to improve the system if needed. The non-invasive nature of the study of the biological fluid determines the long-term benefits for using the method while monitoring the students’ metabolism during apprenticeship.