Changes in saliva analytes in equine acute abdominal disease: a sialochemistry approach.

BACKGROUND: The biochemical components of saliva can change in certain pathologies in horses, for example in acute abdominal disease. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate if a panel of biochemical analytes usually used in serum can be measured in saliva of horses and (2) to study the possible changes of these biochemical analytes in saliva of horses affected by acute abdominal disease. A panel of 23 analytes was analytically validated in saliva of horses and possible changes in these analytes in a pilot study with six healthy horses and six horses with acute abdominal disease were evaluated. The analytes with significant changes were then evaluated in a larger population of 20 healthy and 37 diseased horses. RESULTS: Seven analytes showed significant increases in the pilot study which were confirmed in the larger population. The analytes which showed significant changes, and their median fold increase and significance shown in the larger population were salivary γ-glutamyl transferase (gGT, 2.3 fold, P = 0.001), creatine kinase (CK, 6.2 fold, P < 0.001), urea (2.3 fold, P = 0.001), total bilirubin (2.6 fold, P < 0.001), total proteins (3.2 fold, P < 0.001), phosphorus (P, 4.5 fold, P < 0.001) and alpha-amylase (sAA, 8.5 fold, P < 0.001). Total proteins, P and sAA showed sensitivities higher than 70% at their optimal cut-off points and a specificity of 100% in differentiating between healthy horses and those with acute abdominal disease. CONCLUSIONS: A panel of 23 biochemical analytes can be measured in saliva of horses, where gGT, CK, urea, total bilirubin, total protein, P and sAA levels are raised in horses with acute abdominal disease.

Lactobacillus reuteri supplements do not affect salivary IgA or cytokine levels in healthy subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of daily ingestion of probiotic lactobacilli on the levels of secretory IgA (sIgA) and selected cytokines in whole saliva of healthy young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 47 healthy adults (18-32 years) who volunteered for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial after informed consent. During intervention, the subjects ingested two lozenges per day containing two strains of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289) or placebo lozenges. The intervention and wash-out periods were 3 weeks. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, immediately after each intervention period and 3 weeks post-intervention. ELISA was used to measure sIgA and luminex technology was used to measure the interleukins (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. For statistical analyses a mixed ANOVA model was employed to calculate changes in the salivary outcome variables. RESULTS: Forty-one subjects completed the study and reported a good compliance. No significant differences in the concentrations of salivary sIgA or cytokines were recorded between the L. reuteri and placebo interventions or between baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention levels. No side- or adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with two strains of the probiotic L. reuteri did not affect sIgA or cytokine levels in whole saliva in healthy young adults. The results thereby indicate that daily oral supplementation with L. reuteri do not seem to modulate the salivary oral immune response in healthy young subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02017886).

Pollen feeding proteomics: Salivary proteins of the passion flower butterfly, Heliconius melpomene.

While most adult Lepidoptera use flower nectar as their primary food source, butterflies in the genus Heliconius have evolved the novel ability to acquire amino acids from consuming pollen. Heliconius butterflies collect pollen on their proboscis, moisten the pollen with saliva, and use a combination of mechanical disruption and chemical degradation to release free amino acids that are subsequently re-ingested in the saliva. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of this complex pollen feeding adaptation. Here we report an initial shotgun proteomic analysis of saliva from Heliconius melpomene. Results from liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry confidently identified 31 salivary proteins, most of which contained predicted signal peptides, consistent with extracellular secretion. Further bioinformatic annotation of these salivary proteins indicated the presence of four distinct functional classes: proteolysis (10 proteins), carbohydrate hydrolysis (5), immunity (6), and "housekeeping" (4). Additionally, six proteins could not be functionally annotated beyond containing a predicted signal sequence. The presence of several salivary proteases is consistent with previous demonstrations that Heliconius saliva has proteolytic capacity. It is likely that these proteins play a key role in generating free amino acids during pollen digestion. The identification of proteins functioning in carbohydrate hydrolysis is consistent with Heliconius butterflies consuming nectar, like other lepidopterans, as well as pollen. Immune-related proteins in saliva are also expected, given that ingestion of pathogens is a likely route to infection. The few "housekeeping" proteins are likely not true salivary proteins and reflect a modest level of contamination that occurred during saliva collection. Among the unannotated proteins were two sets of paralogs, each seemingly the result of a relatively recent tandem duplication. These results offer a first glimpse into the molecular foundation of Heliconius pollen feeding and provide a substantial advance towards comprehensively understanding this striking evolutionary novelty.

The concentration of IL-1B in saliva of children with oral lesions associated to histiocytosis / Concentracion de il-1β en saliva de niños con lesiones bucales asociadas a histiocitosis

La Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans(HCL) es una enfermedad de etiología y patogenia aún desconocidas. Afecta diferentes órganos y tejidos en los que produce lesiones de distinta gravedad. La histopatología de las lesiones y la clínica sugieren la participación de citoquinas en su patogenia. La IL-1β podría tener un rol importante en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las concentracionesde IL-1β de las salivas de pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de Histiocitosis de Célula de Langerhans con y sin manifestaciones bucales (grupos 1 y 2 respectivamente), en relación a un grupo control (grupo 3), de pacientes pediátricos que no presentaron antecedentes médicos ni lesiones bucales. Fueron estudiadas las salivas de 20 pacientes con la enfer -medad de HCL, en relación a un grupo control de 11 pacientes pediátricos que no presentaron antecedentes médicos. Los niños con Histiocitosis cuyas edades oscilaban entre 4 meses y 16 años fueron derivados del servicio de Oncohematología del Hospital Garrahan y Hospital de Clínicas, a la Cátedra de Odontología Integral Niños de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Se determinaron las concentraciones de IL-1β en los diferentes grupos, y se utilizó el Enzyme Inmune Assay Kit (Cayman, MI, USA), se expresó en pg/ml. El análisis de los resultados se realizó según el test de Kruskall Wallis, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos (H = 20,36; P<0,001). Luego se realizó el análisis de comparaciones múltiples de Dunn que mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos 1 y 2 y entre los grupos 1 y 3 (p < 0,05). Se observaron valores más elevados de IL-1β en los pacientes con Histiocitosis con manifestaciones bucales (grupo 1), en relación con el grupo sin manifestaciones bucales (grupo 2) y con el grupo control (grupo 3).

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease whosetiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. It affects several organs and tissues, producing lesions of different severity. Its histopathology and clinical picture suggest the participation of cytokines in its pathogenesis. IL-1β might have an important role in its development. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of IL-1β in saliva of pediatric patients diagnosed with LCH, with and without oral manifestations (Groups 1 and 2respectively) compared to a Control Group (Group 3) of pediatric patients without medical antecedents or oral lesions.The saliva of twenty patients with LCH was studied and compared to a Control Group consisting of eleven pediatric patients without medical antecedents. The children with histiocytosis, aged four months to sixteen years, were referred by the Onco haematology Service at Garrahan Hospital and Hospital de Clínicas, to the Department of Comprehensive Children’s Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of BuenosAires (UBA).The concentrations of IL-1β in the different groups were determined using the Enzyme Immune Assay Kit (Cayman MI,USA) and expressed in pg/ml. Results were analyzed by the Kruskall Wallis test. Significant differences between the three cohorts were found, (H = 20.36, P< 0.001). Dunn ́s multiple comparison analysis was performed, which showed significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, and between Groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). Higher values of IL-1βwere found in the patients with histiocytosis with oral manifestations (Group 1) than in patients without manifestations (Group 2) and patients in the Control Group (Group 3).

Composition of enamel pellicle from dental erosion patients.

Oral health is dependent upon a thin mobile film of saliva on soft and hard tissues. Salivary proteins adhere to teeth to form the acquired enamel pellicle which is believed to protect teeth from acid erosion. This study investigated whether patients suffering diet-induced dental erosion had altered enamel pellicles. Thirty patients suffering erosion were compared to healthy age-matched controls. Subjects wore a maxillary splint holding hydroxyapatite and human enamel blocks for 1 h. The acquired enamel pellicle was removed from the blocks and compared to the natural incisor pellicle. Basic Erosive Wear Examination scores confirmed that dental erosion was present in erosion patients and absent from healthy age-matched controls. Erosion patients had half the amount of proteins (BCA assay) within the acquired pellicle forming on splint blocks compared to normal controls (p < 0.05). In particular, statherin, a calcium-binding protein, was 35% less abundant (p < 0.05). Calcium concentration within the acquired pellicle was also reduced by 50% in erosion patients (p < 0.001). In contrast, the natural pellicle on the incisor had similar amounts of total protein in erosion patients and healthy controls. In summary, the formation of new acquired pellicles on surfaces was reduced in erosion patients, which may explain their greater susceptibility to acid erosion of teeth.

A clinico-biochemical evaluation of the role of a herbal (Ayurvedic) immunomodulator in chronic periodontal disease: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Host modulation is fast gaining popularity as a preferred therapeutic modality for periodontal disease. Recent research in the medical field into herbal immunomodulators such as Septilin® has spurred an interest in evaluating its efficacy in periodontitis for the first time. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the immunomodulatory effects of the herbal immunomodulator Septilin® (Himalaya Drug Company, Bangalore, India) when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontal disease. METHODS: Forty systemically healthy patients aged between 25 and 55 years of age and with chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into two groups. The test group was administered Septilin® tablets for two weeks following scaling and root planing whereas the control group was treated by scaling and root planing alone. Changes in gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and salivary tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were assessed at day 0, at two weeks, and at three and six months. RESULTS: The GI and GBI showed a statistically significant reduction at two weeks, three months and six months (P<0.001) in both groups. Salivary TNF-α level reduction was significant in the test group only (P<0.001). No significant change was found in serum CRP levels in both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In this pilot evaluation, Septilin® was found to be a safe and effective immunomodulator as an adjunct to routine periodontal therapy. Further long-term studies to test Septilin® on larger sections of the population are recommended.

Salivary bone turnover markers in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women: daily and seasonal rhythm.

No studies had investigated circadian and circannual rhythms of bone biomarkers in whole saliva. We evaluated the salivary daily and seasonal rhythm of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP). Forty clinical and oral healthy ambulatory pre- and postmenopausal women from two southern Argentine cities: Comodoro Rivadavia (latitude 45º S) and Ushuaia (latitude 54º S) were included in the study. CTX levels were evaluated in serum, urine, and saliva, and b-ALP levels were measured in serum and saliva. In both groups of women, salivary CTX showed a maximum percentage of change early in the morning (80%) and a minimum in the late afternoon (45%), similarly to the pattern observed in urinary samples. No daily rhythm was observed in serum or salivary b-ALP. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels decreased in winter vs. summer (p < 0.01) without differences between the two studied groups. Conversely, parathormone reached higher levels in winter (p < 0.05) which induced a slight non-significant increment in salivary CTX and b-ALP levels. The results showed that, as in serum and urinary samples, salivary CTX exhibits daily and a slight seasonal rhythmicity. Whole non-stimulated saliva is a useful tool to detect several oral and systemic diseases because it has important advantages compared to serum and urinary samples. Then, it may also be a promising sample to test changes in bone metabolism contributing to diagnose and to monitor the therapy of several metabolic bone diseases.

Effect of salivary factors on the susceptibility of hydroxyapatite to early erosion.

OBJECTIVE: Salivary pellicle is known to reduce the erosion of enamel and differences in the level of protection exist between individual saliva sources, but which parameters or components are important is not known. The focus of this study was to investigate the relationship between saliva parameters and early erosion of hydroxyapatite (HAp) with an in situ grown saliva film. METHODS: Twenty-eight volunteers carried two HAp and one porcelain discs in their buccal sulcus for 1.5 h. Next, the discs covered with pellicle and the attached saliva film were exposed extraorally to 50 mM (pH = 3) citric acid for 2 min and unstimulated and stimulated saliva was collected. Calcium loss from HAp after erosive challenge was measured, corrected for calcium loss from pellicle on porcelain discs and averaged. Several salivary parameters were analysed. Pearson's linear correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to study the relation between saliva parameters and HAp erosion. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between HAp erosion and the concentration of phosphorus in unstimulated saliva (r = 0.40, p = 0.03) and between HAp erosion and the concentration of sodium (r = -0.40, p = 0.03), chloride (r = -0.47, p = 0.01), phosphorus (r = 0.45, p = 0.01) and flow (r = -0.39, p = 0.04) of stimulated saliva. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant role in the HAp erosion for sodium, urea, total protein, albumin, pH and flow of unstimulated saliva and for sodium, potassium, urea, and phosphorus of stimulated saliva. CONCLUSIONS: Several salivary parameters are associated with the susceptibility of HAp to erosion.

Astaxanthin restores the enzymatic antioxidant profile in salivary gland of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on antioxidant parameters of salivary gland from diabetic rats. The hypothesis of the study was whether the supplementation of diabetic rats with astaxanthin might antagonize, or at least prevent, the defect in their antioxidative status. DESIGN: Wistar rats (n=32) were divided in 4 groups: untreated control, treated control, untreated diabetic and treated diabetic rats. Astaxanthin (20mg/kg body weight) was administered daily by gavage for 30 days. On day 23, diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan (60 mg/kg body weight). After 7 days of diabetes induction, the rats were killed and submandibular and parotid removed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities and the content of thiol groups were determined. Data were compared by ANOVA and the Tukey test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Diabetes caused a reduction of SOD, and thiol content and increase of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of submandibular gland whilst in the parotid gland diabetes caused an increase of thiol content and no effect in the antioxidant system. The astaxanthin restores the enzymatic activities in the salivary gland, however does not prevent its oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: The submandibular gland presented more susceptibility to oxidative alterations induced by diabetes. Astaxanthin presented a positive effect on the oxidative protection of the salivary gland from diabetic rats.

Essential oils in one-stage full-mouth disinfection: double-blind, randomized clinical trial of long-term clinical, microbial and salivary effects.

AIM: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of an essential oils-containing mouthrinse for full-mouth disinfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients were assigned to receive full-mouth disinfection with either essential oils or placebo. At baseline, 2 and 6 months of treatment the primary outcomes probing depth (PD), plaque index (PlI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were monitored. Additional monitoring included bacterial presence (by polymerase chain reaction) in subgingival, saliva and tongue samples; flows, pH, total protein and alkaline phosphatase salivary levels. The following statistics were used: ANOVA, Student's t-test, chi(2) and Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05). RESULTS: Mean PD>or=3.5 mm was reduced over time in both the placebo and the test groups, but there was no difference in PD reduction between groups at 2 and 6 months. At 2 and 6 months, PlI and MGI showed greater reductions in the test group than in the placebo group. Porphyromona gingivalis was not reduced in any site. At 6 months, Campylobacter rectus increased in both groups, while Tannerella forsythensis decreased subgingivally in the test group. S. sanguinis increased, except subgingivally, in the placebo group. Salivary pH and flows were not altered. Total protein reduced only in the test group. Alkaline phosphatase did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Essential oils for full-mouth disinfection showed clinical benefits, namely reducing plaque and gingival inflammation without altering basic salivary parameters.

Massage after exercise--responses of immunologic and endocrine markers: a randomized single-blind placebo-controlled study.

The effectiveness of massage for postexercise recovery remains unclear, despite numerous studies on this issue. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of massage on endocrine and immune functions of healthy active volunteers after intense exercise. After repeated Wingate tests, the effects of whole-body massage and placebo on salivary cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and total protein levels were compared using a between-group design. Sixty healthy active subjects (23 women, 37 men) underwent 2 exercise protocol sessions at least 2 weeks apart and at the same time of day. The first session familiarized participants with the protocol. In the second session, after a baseline measurement, subjects performed a standardized warm-up followed by three 30-second Wingate tests. After active recovery, subjects were randomly allocated to massage (40-minute myofascial induction) or placebo (40-minute sham electrotherapy) group. Saliva samples were taken before and after the exercise protocols and after recovery. In both groups, the exercise protocol induced a significant increase in cortisol (p < 0.001), decrease in salivary IgA (sIgA) (p < 0.001), and increase in total proteins (p = 0.01) in saliva. Generalized estimating equations showed a significant effect of massage on sIgA rate (p = 0.05), a tendency toward significant effect on salivary total protein levels (p = 0.10), and no effect on salivary flow rate (p = 0.55) or salivary cortisol (p = 0.39). The sIgA secretion rate was higher after the recovery intervention than at baseline among women in the massage group (p = 0.03) but similar to baseline levels among women in the placebo group (p = 0.29). Massage may favor recovery from the transient immunosuppression state induced by exercise in healthy active women, of particular value between high-intensity training sessions or competitions on the same day.

[Construction of tissue culture model in vitro and investigation of transforming growth factor promoting pulp fibroblast to differentiate into the odontoblast].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the tissue culture model in vitro, and investigate the potential of dental pulp fibroblast differentiating into the odontoblast and the promoting role of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) on it. METHODS: Human pulps were cultured for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days on bone matrix gelatin (BMG) in DMEM cultural medium supplemented with TGF-beta1. The characteristics of matrix were studied through toluidine blue and Mallory stain. Meanwhile, the expression of dentin salivary protein (DSP) on the pulp cells was investigated with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: This experiment found that the pulp tissue in vitro were able to develop into more progressive stage, and some pulp fibroblast cells to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells. Toluidine blue and Mallory staining analysis revealed the localized deposition of mineralized bone-dentin matrix that was detected at the site of dental pulp cells. Immunohistochemical analysis proved that the DSP synthesized in these cells with the presence of TGF-beta1. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that this culture condition can maintain the phenotype of human pulp tissue. The model of organ culture is suitable to study the development of pulp tissue in vitro. TGF-beta1 can promote the potential of pulp cell into odontoblast, which provides an academic basis for tooth repair and regeneration.

Effect of psychological stress on the salivary cortisol and amylase levels in healthy young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Saliva sampling has the advantage that it is non-invasive, making multiple sampling easy and stress free. We examined the effects of psychological stressor and soother on the salivary cortisol and amylase levels in young adults, and compared the characteristics of these parameters. DESIGN: The subjects completed the trait version of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess the predisposition to personal anxiety. The video of corneal transplant surgery was served as the stressor for 15 min. A scenic beauty video viewing was also used as the soother. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected every 3 min throughout the session. RESULTS: The amylase level was significantly increased just after the beginning of the stressful video viewing, and immediately returned to the pre-stress level just after the end of the video viewing. The cortisol level was also increased, but to a lesser extent compared with that of amylase. The latency time to the peak level for cortisol was longer than that of amylase. The carry-over effect was not observed in the amylase response but was in cortisol. Although the correlation between the amylase level and the STAI score was highly significant, cortisol level did not. In addition, soothing video viewing significantly decreased the amylase level, but did not affect the cortisol level. CONCLUSION: Salivary amylase level was more significantly increased and reacted more rapidly than cortisol by psychological stressor, suggesting that it is a better index of stress. Furthermore, it is suggested that the enzyme is a soothing or relaxation index.

The effects of prolonged gum chewing on salivary flow rate and composition.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of gum chewing for 2 h on salivary flow rate and composition. DESIGN: Five male and five females each collected whole saliva at intervals over a 2 h period on three separate days, prior to which they collected unstimulated saliva for 5 min. For one 2 h session they continued to collect only unstimulated saliva while for the others one tablet of Wrigley's Extra peppermint- or fruit-flavoured (peach) gum was chewed continuously. Flow rates were calculated and the saliva was assayed for pH and for Na, K, Ca, Cl, inorganic P and protein concentrations. The data were subjected to repeated-measures ANOVA and Duncan tests. RESULTS: When only unstimulated saliva was collected, there was no significant change in salivary flow rate over the 2 h. With the chewing gums the flow rate increased initially and then, after 35-40 min, fell to similar plateau values which remained significantly higher than the initial unstimulated flow rate and significantly higher than the flow rate at the corresponding time intervals when only unstimulated saliva was collected. With both gums the salivary pH from 2 min to 2 h was significantly higher than that of unstimulated saliva. The changes in the salivary electrolyte and protein concentrations due to the flow rate increase elicited by the chewing gum were largely as expected from previous studies on parotid and submandibular saliva. CONCLUSION: During prolonged chewing gum use, both salivary flow rates and pH remained significantly above the values for unstimulated saliva.

Identification of in vivo pellicle constituents by analysis of serum immune responses.

Human acquired enamel pellicle is composed of molecules that selectively adsorb from saliva onto tooth surfaces and provides a protective interface between the tooth enamel and the oral environment. To identify the micro-amounts of components present in pellicle, we immunized mice with in vivo-formed human acquired enamel pellicle and analyzed the serum immune responses. Selective reactivities of the serum (OD > 1.0 above background) against albumin, amylase, carbonic anhydrase II, sIgA, IgG, IgM, lactoferrin, lysozyme, proline-rich proteins, statherin, histatin 1, and mucous glycoprotein 1 were observed. We further confirmed the presence of proline-rich proteins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and carbonic anhydrase II by probing in vivo pellicle with specific polyclonal anti-sera. The polyclonal antibody approach provided a powerful method for the identification of various pellicle proteins, including some which show mineral homeostasis or antimicrobial activity.

Stress as a determinant of saliva-mediated adherence and coadherence of oral and nonoral microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE: The mucosal secretory proteins, such as the salivary proteins, play a key role in the acquisition and regulation of the mucosal microflora. Most notably, some microorganisms utilize the host's secretory proteins to adhere to the mucosa; a first step in colonization and infection. The secretory proteins also influence colonization by affecting the binding among microorganisms, a process denoted as coadherence. Previously we reported that acute stressors cause specific changes in saliva composition. The present study investigated to what extent these changes influence saliva-mediated microbial adherence and coadherence (ex vivo). METHODS: Thirty-two male undergraduates provided unstimulated saliva before and during a control condition and two stressors: A memory test and a surgery video presentation. We used saliva-coated microplates to test the adherence of bacteria for which the oral cavity is either a natural reservoir (eg, viridans streptococci) or a portal of entry (eg, Helicobacter pylori). We also tested the saliva-mediated co-adherence between Streptococcus gordonii and the yeast Candida albicans. Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between changes in microbial adherence and the concentrations of potential salivary ligands, viz. cystatin S, the mucins MUC5B and MUC7, S-IgA, lactoferrin, alpha-amylase, and total salivary protein. RESULTS: During the memory test, saliva-mediated adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, and H. pylori increased, whereas the coadherence of C. albicans with S. gordonii decreased. During the surgical video presentation the saliva-mediated adherence of H. pylori, S. sanguis, and Streptococcus mitis increased. These changes were independent of salivary flow rate, but correlated with specific changes in salivary protein composition. CONCLUSION: The results show that even moderate stressors, by altering the activity of the mucosal secretory glands, may affect microbial colonization processes such as adherence and coadherence. This study hereby presents a mechanism by which stress may affect the mucosal microflora and susceptibility to infectious disease.

Effects of ginseng on secretory IgA, performance, and recovery from interval exercise.

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of ginseng to modulate secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), exercise performance, and recovery from repeated bouts of strenuous physical exertion. METHODS: Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design, 38 active healthy adults supplemented their diets with a standardized ginseng concentrate (400 mg.d-1 of G115; equivalent to 2 g of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer root material) or placebo (lactose) for 8 wk. Before and after the intervention, each subject performed three consecutive 30-s Wingate tests interspersed with 3-min recovery periods under controlled laboratory conditions. SIgA secretion rate (S-SIgA) and the relation of SIgA to total protein were calculated from measures of saliva flow rate (SFR), and absolute SIgA and salivary protein concentrations in timed, whole unstimulated saliva samples collected before and after exercise testing. Peak and mean mechanical power output (W.kg-1) was measured with an infrared-beam optical-sensor array, and exercise recovery heart rate (HRR) was determined electrocardiographically. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects (12 placebo, 15 ginseng) completed the study. Compared with rest, S-SIgA, SIgA:protein ratio, and SFR were lower after exercise at baseline (P < 0.05). Similarly, both peak and mean mechanical power output declined (P < 0.01) across consecutive Wingate tests. Postintervention minus preintervention change scores for salivary parameters, exercise performance, and HRR were similar between ginseng- and placebo-treated groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings do not support the hypothesis that ginseng may affect mucosal immunity as indicated by changes in secretory IgA at rest and after an exercise induced state of homeostatic disturbance. Supplementation with ginseng fails to improve physical performance and heart rate recovery of individuals undergoing repeated bouts of exhausting exercise.

Submandibular and sublingual salivary gland function in familial dysautonomia.

OBJECTIVE: Drooling in familial dysautonomia (FD) has been attributed to denervation supersensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate submandibular and sublingual (SM/SL) gland function in FD. STUDY DESIGN: SM/SL saliva was collected from 15 children with FD and from 31 healthy control subjects. The protein and electrolyte content and the salivary flow rate were determined in each subject. RESULTS: Children with FD displayed significantly elevated outputs of chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and total protein. Salivary flow rates were significantly increased. Phosphorous concentration was statistically low. These results imply SM/SL hyperfunction at the acinar and ductal levels. The concentration of lysozyme, the activity of amylase, and the output of both were similar in patients and control subjects. CONCLUSION: SM/SL gland hyperactivity is a newly described abnormality in FD. At the acinar level, this hyperactivity is expressed with increased fluid, electrolyte, and protein output, and at the ductal level, with increased ion secretion and absorption rate. These changes may be the result of ongoing parasympathetic denervation characteristic in FD.

Inhibitory effects of whole and parotid saliva on immunomodulators.

Based on the presence of cytokines in whole saliva and their association with resistance and susceptibility to infectious disease, the present study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of a large panel of cytokines and chemokines in saliva. Despite the endogenous presence of Th1/Th2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines and several chemokines in whole and parotid saliva of most individuals tested, the detection of known concentrations of several recombinant cytokines and chemokines was inhibited immediately following their addition to each type of saliva. In contrast, purified immunoglobulins were unaffected by either whole or parotid saliva. Further studies revealed that the inhibition of immunoreactivity involved sequestration of the majority of cytokines affected and degradation of chemokines. These results suggest that absolute concentrations of cytokines/chemokines may not be fully detectable in saliva. Therefore, the diagnostic value of any cytokine/chemokine is questionable and should be evaluated independently as such.

Effect of saliva composition on growth of Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata.

Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata are the most prevalent yeasts in humans. The majority harbor C. albicans in the oral cavity, but only a few develop oral candidiasis. We have sought a possible relationship between indigenous salivary constituents, including antimicrobial and nutritive factors, and the growth rate and/or viability of inoculated fungi in glucose-supplemented sterilized saliva. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 30 healthy donors. Saliva samples were sterilized, supplemented with glucose and inoculated with C. albicans or T glabrata. After incubation of the inoculates for 20 h, the number of viable cells were counted. All saliva samples were analyzed for different indigenous salivary components and Candida before as well as after sterilization. Besides a 4% reduction in calcium (Ca2+) and thiocyanate (SCN-) concentrations, sterilization did not affect the concentrations of saliva electrolytes, but the proteins were significantly reduced (19-85%). Indigenous candidal carriage (n=19) correlated with neither the growth of inoculated fungi nor any of the analyzed components in saliva. The growth of C. albicans and T. glabrata was similar at pH 5 but, at pH 6, C. albicans had a remarkably slower growth rate than T. glabrata. Statistical analysis showed that the 5-h growth of C. albicans at pH 5 was associated with water and electrolyte secretion, whereas the growth after 20 h was associated with variations in protein-glycoprotein content. The growth of T. glabrata was not related to variations in the salivary variables analyzed.