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OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: A preceding paper has noted a detection of defensin‐1 (HNP‐1), a peptide with antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present study deals with the presence of HNP‐1 in the saliva of patients with various oral diseases. METHODS: Whole saliva samples were obtained from the patientS. HNP‐1 in the saliva was isolated and purified by HPLC and the amino acid sequence of the peptide was determined. The molecular weight of HNP‐1 was measured by mass spectrometry. The concentration of HNP‐1 in saliva was determined by comparing the height of eluted HNP‐1 with that of a synthetic HNP‐1 standard. RESULTS: The concentrations of HNP‐1 in the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus (n= 5), leukoplakia (n= 4), and glossitis associated with iron deficiency (n= 4) were 8.3± 4.3μg ml‐1, 13.2± 7.9/w.g ml ‐1, and 11.4± 4.9 μg ml‐1, (mean± S. d.), respectively. These concentrations were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (0.8 μg ml‐1) (P < 0.01). In contrast, salivary HNP‐1 concentrations in patients with glossodynia (n= 4) and oral discomfort (n= 4) were similar to those in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Since HNP‐1 is a non‐specific defensive peptide present in neutrophils, it may play an important role in the protection against diseases such as oral lichen planus, leukoplakia, and glossitis associated with iron deficiency.

The present study indicates that Elental® is effective for ameliorating oral mucositis induced by (chemo)radiation in OSCC patients. Elental® was also associated with improved completion rates of (chemo)radiotherapy.

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