H. Ben-Aryeh

Clinical Science Whole-saliva Secretion Rates in Old and Young Healthy Subjects

Resting and stimulated whole-saliva secretion rates were compared in old and young healthy volunteers. The stimulated secretion rate was similar in both age groups, while the resting flow rate was significantly lower in the old females and males as compared with rates in the young.

The salivary flow rate and composition of whole and parotid resting and stimulated saliva in young and old healthy subjects

Resting and stimulated whole and parotid salivary composition and flow rate were examined in 63 healthy volunteers. No significant differences were found between the young and old in secretion rates and salivary concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and total protein. The activity of amylase in the resting and stimulated parotid saliva was significantly lower in the old.

Composition of whole unstimulated saliva of healthy children: Changes with age

Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from 136 healthy subjects divided into 5 groups according to age: (1) 25 infants, 7-11 months old; (2) 28 toddlers, 2-3 yr old; (3) 28 children, 6-8 yr old; (4) 28 adolescents, 12-14 yr old; (5) 27 adults, 25-63 yr old. The concentrations of Na, K, total protein, IgA and amylase activity were measured. A significant ascending linear correlation with age was found for concentrations of Na, total protein, IgA and amylase activity. There were significant differences between age groups in K and IgA concentrations. Salivary amylase activity was very variable, and a significant difference was found between infants and toddlers only. Salivary composition thus changes significantly during childhood, implying a process of development and maturation of the salivary glands and indicating the need of age-matched controls for the clinical use of saliva.

Xerostomia--diagnosis and treatment

Seventy-one patients complaining of mouth dryness were examined. Decreased salivary rate of flow was found in fifty-six. Twenty-two patients did not respond to stimulation and were treated with artificial saliva. The thirty-four responding patients were treated with a mouthwash containing citric acid (Saliram). Of the patients using Saliram, 91 percent were satisfied with the results, and in 16 percent of these an increase in salivation was observed and persisted after treatment was discontinued.

Effects of irradiation on saliva in cancer patients

Whole unstimulated saliva was analyzed in 15 healthy individuals and 15 patients with malignant tumors in the head and neck region before and during irradiation therapy. Flow rate, pH, electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, Mg), protein and phosphate were measured. There was a decrease in rate of flow, and pH changed towards acidity. The most significant finding was the increased sodium content. We believe that irradiation reduces the reabsorption ability of the tubuli, causing the sodium content of the saliva to increase.

Relation between idiopathic glossodynia and salivary flow rate and content

From a series of 50 patients complaining of sore tongue, 13 were found to be suffering from idiopathic glossodynia. All were women in the postmenopausal stage. The salivary flow rate, protein, phosphate, and electrolyte content (Na, K, Ca, Mg) were measured in unstimulated saliva of these patients. Protein, potassium and phosphate concentrations were significantly higher than in the control group. The results indicate that hormonal disbalance might be a factor in the etiology of this type of sore tongue.

Sialochemistry for diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome in xerostomic patients

The flow rate and composition of whole unstimulated saliva were measured in fifteen healthy controls and in forty-eight xerostomic patients, fourteen suffering from xerostomia per se, twenty-two from xerostomia with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and twelve from xerostomia, KCS, and rheumatoid arthritis. A significant lower salivary flow rate was found in all the xerostomic patients. Sodium, potassium, and IgA concentrations were significantly elevated in the KCS and in the RA + KCS group in comparison with the patients who had xerostomia per se and with the healthy controls. Sialochemistry is thus recommended for the diagnosis of Sjögrens syndrome in xerostomic patients.

Oral Candida carriage and blood group antigen secretor status

Summary. Oral Candida carriage and blood group antigen secretor status were examined in 92 healthy, young volunteers. Candida was isolated from 61 of 92 saliva samples (66%Candida carriage). In 76% of cases this was Candida albicans. Oral Candida carriage was found to be significantly associated with non‐secretion of blood group antigens (P< 0.05). However, the numbers of Candida were higher in the saliva of secretors than of non‐secretors (P< 0.01). A higher percentage of Candida carriage was observed in individuals with blood group O. Thus, the finding of higher carrier frequency in the non‐secretors and in blood group O subjects is confirmed.

Salivary IgA and serum IgG and IgA in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Salivary flow rate and sIgA were measured in twenty-one patients suffering from recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Out of this group ten volunteered for continuous study. In these patients salivary IgA and serum IgA and IgG were measured every 3 days for 3 weeks. All parameters were in the physiologic range of healthy people. No correlation with the clinical condition of the patients was found.

Whole saliva in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Whole saliva composition and flow rate were examined in 22 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and compared with matched healthy controls. Significantly lowered salivary flow rate was observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus unrelated to the subjective complaint of xerostomia. Salivary sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations were significantly higher in the SLE patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, whereas potassium and total protein concentrations and amylase activity did not differ significantly from the controls. Salivary IgA and IgM levels were significantly higher in the patients than in controls. IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, antinuclear antibody, and anti-DNA antibody levels were measured in serum of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and correlated with salivary immunoglobulins. The only significant correlation between saliva and serum was found between levels of salivary IgG and serum anti-DNA antibody. The altered salivary composition might indicate a subclinical involvement of salivary glands in the patients.