DEVELOPING METHODS FOR THE STUDY AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES IN SALIVA IN PATIENTS WITH INSULIN RESISTANCE

Abstract

Endogenous antimicrobial peptides are a class of immune system molecules that prevent microbial invasion. To date, more than 500 endogenous antimicrobial peptides are known to be involved in the protection of animal and human epithelial tissues. Despite the fact that antimicrobial peptides are the oldest factor in innate immunity and are found everywhere in the human body, these compounds began to be studied only a few decades ago. Antimicrobial peptides are called natural antibiotics, as they have an antimicrobial effect on a wide range of microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Most of these peptides are cationic proteins that are diverse in amino acid sequence, secondary structure, and mechanism of action on microbial cells, resulting in the destruction of the cytoplasmic membrane. Currently, antimicrobial peptides are considered as an alternative to known antibiotic and immunomodulatory drugs.