Organic components of human parotid and submaxillary saliva

Total protein of whole saliva as a biomarker of anaerobic threshold

Saliva provides a convenient and noninvasive matrix for assessing specific physiological parameters, including some biomarkers of exercise. We investigated whether the total protein concentration of whole saliva (TPWS) would reflect the anaerobic threshold during an incremental exercise test. After a warm-up period, 13 nonsmoking men performed a maximum incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer. Blood and stimulated saliva were collected during the test. The TPWS anaerobic threshold (PAT) was determined using the Dmax method. The PAT was correlated with the blood lactate anaerobic threshold (AT; r = .93, p < .05). No significant difference (p = .16) was observed between PAT and AT. Thus, TPWS provides a convenient and noninvasive matrix for determining the anaerobic threshold during incremental exercise tests.

Amylase activity, protein and urea in saliva of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

Parotid and mandibular salivas, produced at flow rates of 0.055 +/- 0.0038 to 4.45 +/- 0.101 and 0.052 +/- 0.0059 to 4.30 +/- 0.072 ml min-1 respectively by intracarotid infusion of acetylcholine or methacholine, were analysed. During acetylcholine stimulation, the protein concentration ranged from 86.4 +/- 10.17 to 235.0 +/- 23.5 mg l-1 in parotid and from 102.9 +/- 11.54 to 379.6 +/- 38.01 mg l-1 in mandibular saliva. The minimum protein concentrations in parotid and mandibular salivas occurred at 0.5 and 1.0 ml min-1 respectively with the concentration rising progressively at lower and higher flow rates. Both glands maintained constant levels of protein during 90 min of sustained stimulation at constant flow rates of 0.5 and 2.0 ml min-1. The optimum pH for salivary amylase activity lay between 7.4 and 7.9 (mean 7.5-7.6). The amylase activity of parotid saliva ranged between 32.2 +/- 3.81 and 94.5 +/- 24.05 mukat l-1 and the activity/protein ratio was similar at all flow rates (mean, 0.39 +/- 0.049 mukat amylase/mg protein). Amylase levels in arterial plasma were constant within experiments but varied from 8.0 +/- 0.07 to 26.4 +/- 0.24 mukat l-1 between experiments, and were always less than corresponding parotid values. Mandibular amylase activities were low, highly variable or often absent. Methacholine-evoked parotid saliva had lower protein concentrations but similar amylase/protein ratios to acetylcholine-stimulated saliva. Urea concentrations in arterial plasma were constant within experiments but varied from 6.71 +/- 0.092 to 14.2 +/- 0.14 mmol l-1 between experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genetic protein polymorphisms in human saliva: an interpretive review

The purpose of this review is to summarize recent progress in the field of genetic protein polymorphisms found in human saliva since 1972. Prior to 1972 most of the investigations were related to amylase. The genetics of salivary amylase will not be considered here, since it has recently been thoroughly reviewed elsewhere (Merritt and Karn, 1977). In this review, special attention will be devoted to the complex interrelationships of the proline-rich (Pr), double-band (Db), acidic protein (Pa), and peroxidase (SAPX) systems. The biochemically related Pr, Db, and Pa systems show distinctive genetic patterns, and there are associations between the phenotypes indicating linkage relationships. There is also evidence for probable interaction of products of the Pa and SAPX loci. Electrophoretic properties of these proteins can be defined in several gel systems, permitting an accurate definition of phenotypes. The usefulness and limitations of the different gel systems in the interpretation of these electrophoretic patterns will be illustrated. Allelic frequencies of the systems to be discussed are given in Table I. To aid comprehension, the systems will be discussed in logical rather than historical sequence.

Acid glycosaminoglycans and sialic acid content in salivary glands of rats

Sialic acid concentrations were strong in retrolingual and moderate in submaxillary glands. Uronic acid concentrations were high in retrolingual, intermediate in parotid, and low in submaxillary glands. The major fraction in the submaxillary and parotid glands was hialuronic acid, whereas in the retrolingual gland, the major fractions were glycoproteins and dermatan-sulfate.