The influence of handheld mobile phones on human parotid gland secretion

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 146–150 Background: Handheld mobile phones (MPHs) have become a ‘cultural’ accessory device, no less so than a wrist watch. Nevertheless, the use of MPHs has given rise to great concern because of possible adverse health effects from exposure to the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by the device. Previous studies suggested correlation between MPH and salivary gland tumors. Objective: To evaluate whether MPH induces physiologic changes in the adjacent parotid gland, located on the dominant side, in terms of secretion rates and protein levels in the secreted saliva. Materials and method: Stimulated parotid saliva was collected simultaneously from both glands in 50 healthy volunteers whose MPH use was on a dominant side of the head. Results: A significantly higher saliva secretion rate was noticed in the dominant MPH side compared with that in the non‐dominant side. Lower total protein concentration was obtained in the dominant compared with the non‐dominant MPH side among the right dominant MPH users. Conclusions: Parotid glands adjacent to handheld MPH in use respond by elevated salivary rates and decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands. This phenomenon should be revealed to the worldwide population and further exploration by means of large‐scale longitudinal studies is warranted.     

Observations on the diurnal variation of some inorganic constituents of human parotid saliva in smokers and non-smokers

Stimulated parotid secretion (5 ml volumes) was collected by means of a modified Carlson-Crittenden device from 25 healthy subjects (18–45 yr of age) at 4 hr intervals over a 24 hr period. By uniform stimulation, the flow rates of each subject were kept within 0.2 ml/min/gland for the 6 collections ranging from 0.42–0.56 ml/min/ gland. The subjects were divided into 13 smokers and 12 non-smokers. Ca, Mg, Na, K, SCN⁻ and Cl were determined on each sample. The thiocyanate concentrations were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers, (p < 0.001) decreasing in both groups during the sleeping hours (p = 0.02). Chloride concentrations were similar in smokers and non-smokers, but increased during sleeping hours (p = 0.05). Calcium was markedly lower in smokers (p = 0.001) but showed no diurnal variation. Potassium increased in the smoking compared to the non-smoking group, but it also showed no diurnal variation. Magnesium showed no statistically significant change with smoking status or time. Sodium concentrations were not significantly affected by smoking status, but showed a tendency to increase during sleep. We conclude that the nicotine action explains the difference between smokers' and non-smokers' potassium salivary levels. The diurnal patterns are probably related to metabolic variation.     

The contribution of oral minor mucous gland secretions to the volume of whole saliva in man

To determine the contribution of minor mucous gland secretions to total saliva by a direct method, flow rates of both unstimulated and sour lemon drop (SLD)-stimulated saliva were initially determined in 15 subjects. The right and left lingual nerves were then anaesthetized to halt submandibular and sublingual secretion, and both parotid ducts were cannulated. The only remaining saliva in the mouth was that secreted by minor salivary glands. Unstimulated and SLD-stimulated minor mucous gland secretions were then collected and the median percentage contributions to whole saliva were calculated to be 8 and 7 per cent, respectively. Comparable results were obtained on 3 subjects using an indirect method similar to that of Schneyer (1956). With the left parotid duct cannulated, subjects maintained a constant, SLD-stimulated, left parotid flow rate of 1 ml/min and the remaining mixed saliva was collected to determine its flow rate. The right parotid and the submandibular and sublingual glands were then also cannulated and the flow rate from these glands determined whilst that from the left parotid was maintained at 1 ml/min. The contribution from minor mucous glands was the difference between the flow rate of mixed saliva and the combined flow rate from the right parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands.     

Comparison of the effects of pilocarpine and cevimeline on salivary flow

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of low‐dose pilocarpine and cevimeline as stimulants for salivary flow in healthy subjects. Methods: In this cross‐over clinical trial with a 1‐week washout period, 40 male volunteers were submitted to an oral dose of pilocarpine 1% (Salagen?) ?60 μg kg^?1 body‐weight (Group 1) or Cevimeline (Evoxac?) ?30 mg (Group 2). Saliva samples were collected and the salivary flow rate was measured (ml min^?1) at baseline and 20, 40, 60, 80, 140 and 200 min after administration of drugs. In addition, salivary secretion was also measured under mechanical stimulation to observe salivary gland function. Results: The data were analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests (significance level = 5%). Pilocarpine and cevimeline significantly increased salivary flow 140 min after intake. There was a significant higher secretion with cevimeline 140 and 200 min after administration. There were no differences seen among subjects in the salivary glands function by mechanical stimulation. Conclusion: Both drugs showed efficacy in increasing the salivary flow in healthy volunteers, but cevimeline was more effective than pilocarpine.     

Quantitative analysis of normal major salivary glands using computed tomography

OBJECTIVES: We sought to calculate the size and the computed tomography (CT) number of normal parotid and submandibular glands and to evaluate their relationship with respect to sex, age, and obesity in the Korean population. STUDY DESIGN: The authors investigated the axial CT images of 42 healthy volunteers. The maximum cross-sectional area (MCSA) was used as an indicator of the size of the gland. Three regions of interest on axial scans were selected to calculate the mean CT number. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the mean MCSA of the submandibular gland and the CT number of both glands with age. The MCSA of the submandibular gland in males was larger than that in females. There was a close correlation between the parotid and the submandibular glands with respect to the CT number, as well as between the left and right glands with respect to the MCSA and the CT number. The body mass index was positively correlated with the MCSA of the parotid gland, whereas the body mass indexes and the CT numbers of both glands were negatively correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Both age and obesity are closely correlated with the size and the CT number of the major salivary glands. Moreover, the correlation between the CT numbers of the parotid and the submandibular glands may be used for diagnostic purposes.     

Gingival health and salivary function in head and neck-irradiated patients: A five-year follow-up

Gingival health and salivary gland function were evaluated for a period of 5 years in 14 patients who received head and neck irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (seven patients; total dose >60 Gy, nasopharyngeal field) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (seven patients; total dose <50 Gy, “mantle” field). Plaque index (PII), bleeding index (BI), gingival recession (GR), whole saliva flow rate (WSFR), left parotid sialographic morphology, and salivary gland radioisotopic activity were assessed immediately before radiotherapy and annually thereafter. The nasopharyngeal group had perfect correlation between postradiation depression of WSFR and the sialographic and scintigraphic scores (R = −1.00 and −0.96, respectively). The degree of gland dysfunction correlated negatively with BI and the BI/PII ratio (r = #x02212;0.497) and with GR (r = 0.681). The same correlations were noted in the group with Hodgkin's lymphoma during the first 3 years of follow-up. However, recovery of parotid gland function (WSFR and scintigraphic scores) and morphology (sialographic scores) and return to the preradiation relation between WSFR and both BI/PII ratio (r = 0.75) and GR (r = −0.71) were noted in the fourth year. The differences between the nasopharyngeal and Hodgkin's lymphoma groups are attributable to the delineation of the radiation field employed in each group.     

The effect of clinical setting on the unstimulated salivary flow rate

ObjectiveUnstimulated whole saliva (UWS) sialometry uses the spitting method to assess occurrence of hyposalivation. This study compares the UWS flow rates in volunteers sitting in a laboratory or in a clinical setting, in order to evaluate the influence of environment on salivary secretion.Design25 healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups to perform UWS sialometry under the two different settings (T1). Eleven weeks later, the participants repeated the same test (T2). At a unique time point and under the clinical setting, 18 patients complaining of xerostomia also performed the UWS sialometry; these values were used as control to corroborate findings.ResultsDifferent scenarios – laboratory one vs. clinical one – did not affect measurements of mean UWS flow rates. Both intra- and inter-individual variabilities, reported as standard error of the mean (SEM) and within-subject variance (WSV), resulted below the threshold of 0.1 g/min. A significant difference was found between UWS flow rates from healthy volunteers and those from patients with xerostomia (p < 0.05). Test/retest reliability showed a moderate correlation of datasets collected at the two time points from healthy volunteers (T1 vs. T2, 11 weeks later): under laboratory and clinical settings, Pearson’s coefficients of correlation were r = 0.62 and r = 0.32, respectively.ConclusionsType of environment did not influence UWS sialometry via spitting method, which appeared reliable for intra-day analysis of the salivary flow rate, although prone to physiological variations over time.     

Viscosity of whole saliva

This study investigates within-subject variations and associations of salivary viscosities and flow rates in a test panel of healthy adults. After several practice sessions, unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva samples were collected 5 times daily (at 0800, 1100, 1400, 1700, and 2000 h) from 30 university students. There was a significant within-subject variation in viscosity and flow rate of unstimulated saliva (P &lt; 0.001). Intra-item correlations were significantly different for salivary flow rates (r = 0.82 for unstimulated, r = 0.88 for stimulated, P &lt; 0.001) and viscosity of unstimulated saliva (r = 0.54, P &lt; 0.05), but viscosity of stimulated saliva was different in this respect. Our results indicate that there is a significant within-subject variation in viscosity of unstimulated saliva.     

Evaluation of unstimulated and stimulated parotid salivary flow rate in Israeli healthy subjects aged 60 years and older

Saliva plays a critical role in the maintenance oral health. Clinical studies showed that 25% of the elderly population suffers from oral dryness and its related complaints. Studies that measured parotid gland salivary flow rate, both unstimulated and stimulated, in healthy older individuals did not find age-related functional changes. However, histological studies have revealed an age-dependent reduction in the parotid acinar tissue component. To our knowledge there are still no reports of the parotid salivary flow rate in the elderly population in Israel. The goal of this study was to evaluate the rate of the parotid unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate among healthy Israeli people aged over 60 years old--the findings may serve as basic standard values to be compared to data collected from patients with complaints of xerostomia and to data reported in other studies. Thirty healthy volunteers aged 60 to 77 years (average 64.7), 23 females and 7 males, were evaluated. Twenty five of the subjects used to live in kibbutzim and 5 lived in a city. The mean unstimulated parotid salivary secretion rate was 0.044+/-0.063 ml/min and the mean stimulated secretion was 0.163+/-0.291 ml/min. Those rates were found to be lower than the unstimulated and stimulated parotid salivary flow rates reported in most other studies. Fourteen (43.3) of the subjects had zero flow rate at rest. This figure was higher then the 20% zero flow at rest that was reported by others among persons with a broader age range. No significant differences were recorded in the parotid salivary flow, both unstimulated and stimulated, between subjects living in the kibbutzim compared to those living in the city. Similar to other studies the differences in the secretion rates between men and women were non significant. The low mean unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, and the high prevalence of no flow at rest can be explained by the fact that saliva collections were done during the very warm Israeli summer and it is speculated that the subjects might be dehydrated. General dehydration can be observed in warm climate areas. No significant differences were found in the parotid salivary flow rates, (unstimulated and stimulated), between the city subjects compared to those from the kibbutzim. Further similar studies in different weather conditions (winter-summer) are needed to establish data of the normal parotid salivary secretion in the over 60 years old Israeli population.     

Anti‐inflammatory action of cholecystokinin and melatonin in the rat parotid gland

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 661–667 Objective: To define the influence of cholecystokinin and melatonin on the inflammatory response of the lipopolysaccharide‐exposed rat parotid gland. Materials and methods: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide was infused retrogradely into the parotid duct. The degree of inflammation three hours postadministration was estimated from the activity of myeloperoxidase, reflecting glandular neutrophil infiltration. Results: The myeloperoxidase activity of the lipopolysaccharide‐exposed gland was 10‐fold greater than that of the contralateral gland. Combined with sulphated cholecystokinin‐8 (10 or 25 μg kg^?1, given twice intraperitoneally) or melatonin (10 or 25 mg kg^?1 × 2) the lipopolysaccharide‐induced response was elevated 4.6‐ and 3.5‐folds at the most. The cholecystokinin‐A receptor antagonist lorglumide reduced the inhibitory effect of cholecystokinin‐8, while the melatonin 2‐preferring receptor antagonist luzindole had no effect on the melatonin‐induced inhibition. Unselective nitric oxide‐synthase inhibition abolished the increase in myeloperoxidase activity, whereas inhibition of inducible or neuronal nitric oxide‐synthase (of non‐nervous origin) halved the inflammatory response. Conclusion: Some hormones may contribute to anti‐inflammatory action in salivary glands in physiological conditions. They are potential pharmacological tools for treating gland inflammation. The inflammation, as judged from the myeloperoxidase activity, was entirely dependent on nitric oxide‐synthase activity, indicating that the hormones directly or indirectly reduced the generation of nitric oxide.     

Metastatic involvement of parotid from carcinoma of the breast—a case report

Introduction

Involvement of parotid gland by metastases from distant primary malignant tumors is rare.

Case report

A 42-year-old female having right breast cancer had reported to the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Medicine with a chief complaint of a swelling in the left parotid gland region for 2 months. On the basis of clinical findings, the primary malignancy of parotid gland was provisionally suspected.

Discussion

Microscopic examination of parotid and breast revealed that parotid gland was involved as a distant metastases from a breast carcinoma, indicating that a swelling in the parotid needs to be assessed and investigated very carefully.     

Investigating the relationship between hyposalivation and mucosal wetness

Oral Diseases (2010) 17 , 109–114 Background: Mucosal wetness (MW) reflects the layer of residual saliva that covers the oral mucosal surfaces. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine MW at different oral mucosa sites and to investigate the relationship between MW, unstimulated whole salivary flow rates (UWS) and Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS). Method: A total of 100 dry mouth patients and 50 healthy subjects participated in the study. MW was sampled with filter paper strips at four sites inside the mouth; anterior hard palate (AHP), buccal mucosa (BUC), anterior tongue (AT), lower lip (LL) and measured with a micro‐moisture meter. Reproducibility was assessed by repeated sampling and diurnal variation was examined. Results: Mucosal wetness in healthy subjects differed according to site and means ± SD were; AHP (11 ± 11.7 μm), BUC (32 ± 14.8 μm), AT (65 ± 17.2 μm), and LL (25 ± 13.5 μm). Dry mouth patients with reduced UWS showed increased CODS. MW at all four sites was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in dry mouth patients compared with the healthy subjects. Reproducibility of MW measurement using the intra‐class correlation coefficient showed agreement at different visits within subject. MW of the AT showed a positive correlation with UWS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mucosal wetness is a reliable measure of oral dryness and had a positive correlation with UWS.     

Diabetes reduces statherin in human parotid: immunogold study and comparison with submandibular gland

Oral Diseases (2012) 18 , 360–364 Background and Objective: Alteration of salivary gland secretion is one of the consequences of diabetes. In a recent study on the submandibular gland of diabetic subjects, we found changed expression of statherin, a salivary protein of fundamental importance in preserving tooth integrity, whose reduction was related with the high incidence of oral diseases in patients with diabetes. The goal of this report is to extend the study to human parotid gland and to compare the effects of diabetes on statherin expression with those previously described in submandibular gland. Materials and Methods:  Fragments of parotid glands obtained from diabetic and non‐diabetic patients were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in Epon Resin and processed for the immunogold histochemistry. The staining density was expressed as number of gold particles per μm² and statistically evaluated. Results and Conclusions:  In all samples, statherin reactivity was specifically localized in secretory granules of acinar cells. The statistical analysis showed that labelling density was significantly lower in diabetic than in non‐diabetic parotid glands and that diabetes affects protein expression at identical extent in parotid and submandibular glands. The results strengthen the hypothesis that a reduced statherin secretion may be responsible for the higher incidence of oral disorders in diabetic subjects.     

小型猪腮腺放射损伤唾液流率和血常规及生化动态观察

目的 :动态观察小型猪腮腺放射损伤前后腮腺流率、血常规及血生化变化 ,为建立小型猪腮腺放射损伤动物模型 ,及基因治疗涎腺放射损伤奠定基础。方法 :试验组 8只小型猪 ,1 5Gy单侧腮腺放射损伤 ,对侧腮腺做对照 ,2只 0Gy放射做空白对照。放疗前、放疗后 4周、8周和 1 6周 ,用吸盘法收集唾液 ,前腔静脉取血 ,观察唾液流率、血常规和血生化改变。结果 :放疗后 8周唾液流率下降 ,1 6周唾液流率下降明显并与放疗前有显著性差别。随着放射后的时间延长 ,白细胞计数下降越来越明显 ,第 8周和 1 6周与放疗前有显著性差别。红细胞在放疗后第 8周及第 1 6周稍有增加但没有显著性差别 ,血小板在 4周下降 ,第 8周及第 1 6周增高超出放射前水平。乳酸脱氢酶血清含量放疗后呈持续下降趋势 ,与放疗前有显著性差别(P <0 0 5 )。血清淀粉酶在放疗后 1周增高 ,第 4周显著下降 ,与放疗前相比差别有显著性 ,随后缓慢回升。结论 :1 5Gy放疗1 6周时放疗侧腮腺唾液流率明显下降 ,血液常规白细胞计数和血清乳酸脱氢酶、淀粉酶改变     

Salivary gland parameters and clinical data related to the underlying disorder in patients with persisting xerostomia

This study assessed salivary gland parameters and clinical data in patients referred to our clinic because of persisting xerostomia of unknown origin, in order to facilitate early diagnosis and recognition of the underlying disorder. Most patients were referred for diagnostic analysis of a possible Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A complete diagnostic work‐up was available in all patients (n = 176), including data on salivary gland function, saliva composition, sialography, salivary gland swelling, pattern of complaints, general health, and medication. Patients were diagnosed with SS (n = 62), sialosis (n = 45), sodium retention syndrome (n = 30), or medication‐induced xerostomia (n = 9). In 30 patients no disease related to salivary gland pathology was found. Unstimulated whole salivary flow was decreased in all patients, except in patients with sodium retention syndrome and in patients without salivary gland pathology. Submandibular/sublingual salivary flow was lowest in SS patients. SS and sialosis patients had increased salivary potassium concentrations, whereas only SS patients had increased sodium concentrations. About half of the sialosis patients mainly complained of persistent parotid gland swelling. Xerostomia‐inducing medication was used by most patients. It was concluded that gland‐specific sialometry and sialochemistry is useful in discriminating between the various disorders causing persisting xerostomia.     

超声弹性成像在干燥综合征唾液腺病变中的应用价值

目的: 探讨超声弹性成像技术中应变率比值法（SR）和声辐射力脉冲成像法（ARFI）在干燥综合征（SS）唾液腺病变诊断中的应用价值。方法: 收集 2017年1月—2017年7月上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院口腔外科门诊确诊的干燥综合征患者36例,健康对照病例25例。对双侧腮腺及下颌下腺进行SR及ARFI检查,获得双侧腮腺及下颌下腺的SR和剪切波速度（SWV）。比较同一组内腮腺、下颌下腺左侧与右侧之间以及不同组间同侧腮腺、下颌下腺 SR和SWV 的差异。采用SPSS 22.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果: ①无论SS组还是健康对照组,左、右侧腮腺及下颌下腺之间SR值和SWV值差异均无显著性（P>0.05）;组间双侧腮腺、下颌下腺SR值差异均有显著性（P<0.05）;组间腮腺、下颌下腺SWV值差异均有显著性（P<0.05）。②以0.8962为截断值,采用SR检测腮腺、诊断SS的敏感度为77.8%,特异度为88.0%,曲线下面积达0.844;以0.8987为截断值,采用SR检测下颌下腺、诊断SS的敏感度为47.22%,特异度为84.0%,曲线下面积达0.652。③以1.6288为截断值,采用ARFI技术检测腮腺、诊断SS的敏感度为91.7%,特异度为88.0%,曲线下面积达0.943;以1.8788为截断值,采用ARFI技术检测下颌下腺、诊断SS的敏感度为44.4%,特异度为96.0%,曲线下面积0.614。结论: 超声弹性成像技术SR及ARFI可以提供腮腺及下颌下腺SR及SWV值,定量分析SS患者的腺体硬度,在临床诊断干燥综合征中有很好的应用价值。     

Primary Sjögren''s syndrome: salivary gland function and clinical oral findings

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate salivary gland function, saliva composition and oral findings in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) subdivided into patients with and without focus score ≤1 (FS) and/or antibodies to SSA/SSB (AB) as well as in healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Unstimulated (UWS) and chewing stimulated (SWS) whole saliva, and stimulated parotid saliva (SPS) were collected in 16 patients fulfilling the European classification criteria for pSS subdivided into those with FS and/or AB (n= 8) and those without FS and AB (n= 8), and in age-matched (n= 14) and young healthy controls (n= 13).UWS and SWS were analysed for Na⁺ and K⁺.SPS was analysed for Na⁺, K⁺, statherin, and proline-rich proteins (PRPs).Sicca symptoms, DMFT/DMFS, plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) scores, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and mucosal status were recorded. RESULTS: The young healthy controls had lower UWS as compared to the aged controls (P= 0.03).However, the aged controls had higher DMFT/DMFS (P < 0.001) and PI, GI and PPD (P < 0.01).Patients with FS and/or AB generally had lower saliva secretory rates than patients without FS and/or AB (P= 0.01 for UWS and SPS) and age-matched healthy controls (P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in the content of Na⁺ and K⁺, statherin and PRPs between groupS. Patients with FS and/or AB had the highest frequency of oral mucosal changes and higher DMFT/DMFS than patients without FS and/or AB and healthy controls (P < 0.01).However, PI, GI, and PPD did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Patients with FS and/or AB had lower salivary secretory rates, higher DMFT/DMFS, and more oral mucosal changes than patients without FS and/or AB.Additionally, data suggest that salivary gland function in healthy individuals do not decrease with age.     

Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Turned Single Implants Placed in Periodontally Healthy Patients After 16 to 22 Years: Microbiologic Outcome

Background: Survival rates in implant dentistry today are high, although late failures do occur for many reasons, including peri‐implant infections. The primary objective of this study is to investigate microbiota around single turned implants after 16 to 22 years. Secondary objectives are to compare teeth and implants and to correlate microbiologic, radiographic, and clinical parameters. Methods: A total of 46 patients with single implants were invited for a clinical examination. Clinical data were collected from implants and contralateral natural teeth. Radiographic bone level was measured around implants. Microbiologic samples were taken from implants, contralateral teeth, and the deepest pocket per quadrant. Samples were analyzed with DNA‐DNA hybridization including 40 species. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests, McNemar tests, and Spearman correlation coefficients with a 0.05 significance level. Results: Mean follow‐up was 18.5 years (range 16 to 22 years). Tannerella forsythia (1.5 × 10⁵) and Veillonella parvula (1.02 × 10⁵) showed the highest concentrations around implants and teeth, respectively. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and T. forsythia were significantly more present around implants than teeth. Mean counts were significantly higher around implants than teeth for Parvimonas micra, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Total DNA count was correlated to interproximal bleeding index (r = 0.409) and interproximal probing depth (r = 0.307). No correlations were present with plaque index or radiographic bone level. Conclusions: In the present study, bacterial counts around single implants in periodontally healthy patients are rather low. Although pathogenic bacteria are present, some in higher numbers around implants than teeth (five of 40), the majority of implants present with healthy peri‐implant tissues without progressive bone loss.     

Relationship of chewing-stimulated whole saliva flow rate and salivary gland size

OBJECTIVE: We have recently reported that unstimulated whole saliva flow rates (UWSFR) correlate positively with salivary gland sizes and body profiles of weight and body mass indices. In the present study, the correlations of chewing-stimulated whole saliva flow rates (CWSFR) with salivary gland sizes and the body profiles were investigated, and the results were compared with those of UWSFR. DESIGN: Saliva samples were collected from 24 healthy young males and 26 females by the spitting method while chewing paraffin and the CWSFRs were measured. UWSFR and the estimated sizes of the three major salivary glands in our previous study were used. RESULTS: The CWSFRs in all subjects and in males correlated positively with UWSFR, but not in females. The CWSFRs in all subjects correlated positively with parotid and/or submandibular gland sizes, weights and body mass indices, just as with UWSFR; however, the correlation coefficients with salivary gland sizes were smaller than those of UWSFR. In contrast to the results of UWSFR, the correlation coefficients of the CWSFRs with parotid gland sizes in all subjects were larger than those with the sizes of the submandibular glands. The CWSFRs in males correlated only with parotid gland sizes, and those in females did not correlate with any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the larger the size of the salivary glands, the greater the CWSFR, at least in males.     

The composition of stimulated human parotid saliva

Isolated parotid saliva was collected from young, healthy volunteers first in the resting state, followed by stimulation with citric acid. Secretion rate, concentration of sodium, potassium, inorganic phosphate and protein as well as the activity of amylase and acid phosphatase were estimated. In response to stimulation, the secretion rate and sodium concentration of the saliva significantly increased and the concentration of inorganic phosphate and the activity of acid phosphatase significantly decreased. The mean value of potassium and protein concentration and amylase activity did not alter.Positive significant correlations were found between the unstimulated and stimulated saliva for potassium, phosphate and protein concentration and amylase activity. Comparing the secretion of the right and left gland positive, highly significant correlations were found for flow rate, potassium, phosphate and protein concentration and amylase activity. The diagnostic importance of these correlations are discussed.