Richard A. Winer

Composition of Parotid and Submandibular Saliva and Serum in Down's Syndrome

Parotid saliva, submandibular saliva, and blood were collected from mongoloid and nonmongoloid populations. Salivary flow rates were determined and fluid samples were analyzed for various electrolytes. Ten samples of parotid saliva and serum were analyzed for total protein, creatinine, amylase, and uric acid. Parotid saliva of mongoloids showed some differences in composition, but serum showed only a higher level of uric acid.

Composition of Human Saliva, Parotid Gland Secretory Rate, and Electrolyte Concentration in Mentally Subnormal Persons

Studies on institutionalized Mongoloids have shown that these individuals have little or no dental caries but do have severe periodontal disease.1-4 The salivary glands, with their readily accessible uncontaminated secretion, present a unique system for evaluating salivary-gland metabolism. Alterations in the composition of parotid saliva may be responsible factors for the unusual dental conditions of the Mongoloids. The electrolyte composition of blood serum in Mongoloids has been thoroughly studied,5 7 but no information heretofore has been reported on other body fluids. The purpose of the current investigation was to compare the secretion rate, pH, and electrolyte levels of Mongoloid and nonMongoloid persons to determine whether alterations in composition of parotid saliva would occur in Mongolism as was found in persons having cystic fibrosis.8

Human parotid gland secretion: flow rate and interrelationships of pH and inorganic components.

Summary Stimulated parotid saliva was collected from 50 individuals using flavored chicle as the stimulatory agent. Analysis of the flow rate and composition indicated a significant positive correlation between the flow rate and the pH, sodium, calcium, and bicarbonate contents. Intercorrelations between the various salivary constituents were also noted. No differences were found in the composition of saliva samples collected in the fasting and postprandial state. The composition of the parotid secretion was found to vary not only from person to person but between the two glands in the same person.

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF VERBAL SUGGESTION ON THE PAROTID GLAND RESPONSE TO GUSTATORY STIMULI.

Summary Two gustatory stimuli, water and citric acid, were presented sequentially to 16 subjects with and without direct verbal suggestions that water was sour and that citric acid was tasteless. Half of the subjects had been previously rated as “highly suggestible” and half as relatively “non-suggestible” according to a standardized suggestibility scale. The results showed that: (1) there was no significant variation in parotid secretion rates when the same stimulus was repeated during a single experimental session; (2) direct verbal suggestion significantly altered parotid gland secretion rates in both the “highly suggestible” and the relatively “non-suggestible” subjects.

Parotid Saliva Enzymes in Down's Syndrome:

The parotid saliva in persons with Downs syndrome was analyzed for three enzymes: acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase, and amylase. The results have shown a statistically significant elevation of esterase activity in persons with Downs syndrome whereas no statistical differences were observed with the other enzymes. The current investigation has provided further insight into salivary gland metabolism and may have yielded some information pertaining to the genetic control of the processes regulating the electrolyte concentration of human saliva.

Traumatic bone cyst in the maxilla

This report presents an unusual asymptomatic periapical radiolucency occurring around the upper right lateral incisor. Surgical intervention revealed an empty bone cavity which was diagnosed as a traumatic bone cyst. Follow-up periapical radiographs of the patient were taken over a 6-year period until complete healing of the lesion took place.

INFLUENCE OF VERBAL SUGGESTION ON THE PAROTID GLAND RESPONSE TO GUSTATORY STIMULI.

Summary Parotid gland secretion rate was measured in a group of 12 subjects selected as being relatively non-amenable to suggestion. Parotid fluid was obtained using a vacuum cup and collected in tubes graduated to 0.1 ml. Secretion rate was determined by measuring the volume secreted during a 10 minute stimulation interval. Solution concentrations were: citric acid—0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 g/100 ml; sucrose—5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 g/100 ml. After the subjects had experienced the gustatory sensations under control conditions (non-suggestion), and their secretion rate ascertained, they were asked to imagine various experimental (suggestion) conditions. It was observed that the parotid gland secretion rate was greater when the subjects received citric acid without suggestion than when citric acid was suggested to be sweet. The latter, in turn, was greater than the rate obtained when citric acid was suggested to be tasteless. The flow rate obtained when sucrose was suggested to be sour was greater than for sucrose without suggestion, while sucrose suggested to be tasteless evoked the lowest secretory rate in this triad. Chi square analysis of the data indicated that the differences among secretion rates for each triad were statistically significant. However, when the variables were compared separately, using the sign test, it was observed that the differences between citric acid vs citric acid suggested to be sweet and sucrose vs sucrose suggested to be sour were not statistically significant. The authors are indebted to David S. Calverley for his assistance in pretesting the subjects.

The effect of clorpactin on gingival disease; preliminary report.

Abstract There is no substitute for periodontal treatment when the integrity of the periodontal tissues is disturbed or destroyed by the formation of calculus, or by the occurrence of gingival infections from local or systemic factors, or when alveolar bone loss occurs. Periodontal treatment is not always available or possible to a large portion of our population. Institutionalized patients with brain damage and patients with neuromuscular disorders (muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy), as well as young and old patients with chronic debilitating disease, often make periodontal treatment impossible. The use of Clorpactin mouthwash for such patients is highly recommended, since it will control secondary infection, debride necrotic tissue, arrest gingival bleeding, and deodorize the mouth without any untoward results. Clorpactin also may be used as an adjunct in periodontal treatment.