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Journals / Ahi Evran Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Assessment of cfDNA Levels in Saliva Samples of Stressed Young Adults: Preliminary Study

Stres Altındaki Genç Yetişkinlerin Tükürük Örneklerinde cfDNA Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Ön Çalışma

Ekin Çelik(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-1966-3907
Miraç Berkay Köksal(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0002-2113-6372
Hacı Mehmet Akbulut(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0007-8543-9977
Selahattin Ata Aydın(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0009-5525-6015
Yiğit Emre Kurt(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0009-9477-8676
Can Okan(KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0006-2499-6502
Simay Çetinkaya0000-0002-1182-7754
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-04-21
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This preliminary study suggests that cfDNA in saliva samples could potentially serve as a biological marker for stress in healthy individuals.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the saliva samples of second-year medical students before and after a stress-inducing event, exams.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 20 students, whose stress profiles were assessed using the DASS-21 scale, both before and after the exams.
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Conclusion & Impact:This preliminary study suggests that cfDNA in saliva samples could potentially serve as a biological marker for stress in healthy individuals.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:biomarker · cfDNA · plasma

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the saliva samples of second-year medical students before and after a stress-inducing event, exams. Materials and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 20 students, whose stress profiles were assessed using the DASS-21 scale, both before and after the exams. Cell-free DNA was isolated from these samples, and measured using spectrophotometry and automated electrophoresis system. Results: Spectrophotometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in cfDNA levels in the saliva samples collected after the exams (p≤0.05). This difference was confirmed by the automated electrophoresis system, particularly showing a reduction in cfDNA amounts in the 40-200 bp range with the reduction of stress (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Psychosocial stress affects the release of cell-free DNA. This study reports that the amount of cfDNA found in saliva samples significantly changes in relation to stress. This preliminary study suggests that cfDNA in saliva samples could potentially serve as a biological marker for stress in healthy individuals.

Özet

Amaç: Bu pilot çalışmada, ikinci sınıf tıp öğrencilerinin sınav öncesi ve sonrasında tükürük örneklerindeki hücre dışı DNA (hdDNA, cfDNA) düzeylerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araçlar ve Yöntem: Stres profilleri DASS-21 ölçeği ile değerlendirilen 20 öğrencinin sınav öncesi ve sonrası tükürük örnekleri alınarak hücre dışı DNA izole edilmiştir. İzole edilen DNA'lar spektrofotometre ve otomatik elektroforez sistemi ile ölçülmüştür. Bulgular: Spektrofotometre analizleri, sınav sonrası öğrencilerden alınan cfDNA miktarlarında anlamlı bir azalma göstermiştir (p≤0.05). Bu fark otomatik elektroforez sistemi ile doğrulanmış ve özellikle 40-200 bp aralığındaki cfDNA miktarlarının stresin azalmasıyla birlikte azaldığı tespit edilmiştir (p≤0.05). Sonuç: Psikososyal stres hdDNA salınımını etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmada, tükürük örneklerinde bulunan hdDNA miktarlarının stresle ilişkili olarak anlamlı değişiklikler gösterdiği raporlanmıştır. Bu ön çalışma, tükürük numunelerindeki hdDNA'nın sağlıklı bireylerde stresin potansiyel biyolojik bir belirteci olarak değerlendirilebileceğini ortaya koymuştur.

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Cite This Article

Çelik, E., Köksal, M. B., Akbulut, H. M., Aydın, S. A., Kurt, Y. E., Okan, C., Çetinkaya, S. (2025). Assessment of cfDNA Levels in Saliva Samples of Stressed Young Adults: Preliminary Study. Ahi Evran Tıp Dergisi, Volume: 9 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1524197

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