Effect of xylitol‐, sucrose‐, and water‐rinses on the composition of human palatine gland secretions

Abstract

– The chemical composition of stimulated human palatine secretions (HPS) was studied after rinsing with aqueous solutions of sucrose or xylitol, or with water only. Stimulation with water was associated with increased concentration levels of protein. The levels of sialic acids (per mg protein) and the specific arylamidase activities were simultaneously increased, within the physiologic range. In contrast to a previous report, these results indicate that HPS does contain arylaminopeptidases the activity of which is strongly increased by Cl−, The Cl− ‐dependent activity was revealed when using N‐L‐arginyl‐2‐naphthylamide as substrate. The filter paper method used is recommended for collecting HPS for chemical analyses. In spite of the use of a relatively effective and versatile stimulation procedure, only one third of the subjects produced detectable HPS, Very poor secretion of HPS should perhaps be considered in subjects wearing total dentures.

An update on minor salivary gland secretions

“…M äkinen et al. (26) found filter paper collection to be preferred for palatal saliva analyses. Droplets of labial saliva with a low surface tension and a non‐spherical shape can be seen on the lower lip mucosa (Fig.…”

“…Methods of collecting palatal saliva in plastic retainers for qualitative studies have been described (22,23). Both capillary tubes and absorption methods have been used to analyse various constituents in labial and palatal secretions (24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Mä kinen et al (26) found filter paper collection to be preferred for palatal saliva analyses.…”

“…The specific use of diuretics (29) and antihypertensive drugs (45) was correlated to reduced buccal saliva flow, and chemotherapeutic (41), cardiovascular, and antidiabetic (46) drugs reduced labial flow. Although some investigators have proposed that minor salivary glands should respond less than parotid glands (61), or not at all (26, 37, 39), to stimulation, later research suggests the opposite. A few drugs are known to increase saliva flow in general, and labial saliva (46, 62), as well as palatal (54) saliva, can be increased by systemic pilocarpine or locally administered pilocarpine‐comprising miotics.…”

Use of Human Minor Salivary Glands in Basic and Applied Secretion Research

“…Traces of kallikrein activity have also been detected in labial and palatine saliva (Hensten-Pettersen, 1975), and arylamidase activity has been characterized in palatine saliva (Makinen et al, 1985). Finally, the amino acid profiles of minor gland secretions are significantly different from those for major gland secretions (Hensten-Pettersen, 1976).…”

“…Since they neither tested for virus-HI activity nor measured viscous properties, these results cannot easily be compared with those of Hensten-Pettersen (1979), who did not use SDS gel electrophoresis. Also, sialic acid and total carbohydrate levels have been reported for stim ulated palatine saliva (Makinen et al, 1985).…”