Lactoferrin, amylase and mucin MUC5B and their relation to the oral microflora in hyposalivation of different origins

Abstract

There are several reasons for hyposalivation, each affecting the salivary composition in different ways. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare lactoferrin, amylase and mucin MUC5B in stimulated whole saliva collected from subjects with hyposalivation of different origins and to relate the results to the presence of some microbial species associated with oral disorders. Albumin was determined as a marker of serum leakage. The characteristic feature for subjects with radiation-induced hyposalivation was a large increase in lactoferrin, probably due to leakage through inflamed mucosal tissues, while it was a high albumin content for the group with primary Sjögren's syndrome, probably due to disruption of the fragile mucosa. The saliva composition in subjects with hyposalivation of unknown origin or due to medicines was close to that in the healthy controls. All three hyposalivation groups tended to display a decrease in the concentrations of MUC5B and amylase. None of the microbial species analyzed (streptococci, mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia/Prevotella nigrescens, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and enterics) correlated with concentration of MUC5B in saliva. The RT group, having the highest concentration of lactoferrin, had the lowest median number of F. nucleatum and was the only group in which median number of P. intermedia/P. nigrescens was zero.

Oral Sequelae of Head and Neck Radiotherapy

“…An increase in the concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium has been reported, while the concentration of potassium is only slightly affected (Ben-Aryeh et al, 1975;Dreizen et al, 1976;Anderson et al, 1981;Valdez et al, 1993). The concentrations of immunoproteins ( e.g., sIgA), lysozyme, and lactoferrin are increased (Brown et al, , 1978Makkonen et al, 1986;Valdez et al, 1993;Almståhl et al, 2001). The decrease in salivary flow rate, however, is greater than the increase in immunoprotein and lysozyme levels, and this results in a significant immunoprotein deficit.…”

Assessing the determination of salivary electrolytes and anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies for the diagnosis of Sjogren s syndrome (SS)

“…Electrolytes are known to be secreted in the mouth by the salivary glands, although the exudation of serum from injured oral mucosa also contributes to electrolyte concentrations found in saliva. In patients with SS, an increase has been documented in the rate of salivary albumin due to inflammation of the salivary glands and to the leakage of serum through mucous membranes easily damaged by mechanical action; this could equally be the mechanism that promotes salivary electrolyte abnormalities in SS (13,14).…”

Decrease in salivary lactoferrin output in chronically intoxicated alcohol-dependent patients

“…As we noted a high correlation between the amount of daily alcohol consumption and salivary lactoferrin output (Table 2), ethanol may exert a directly toxic effect on lactoferrin secretion. It should be mentioned that salivary lactoferrin is secreted not only by intercalated duct cells of salivary gland tissue [7,13], but may also be released by activated neutrophils in damaged salivary glands, in gingivitis, or may be the result of blood leakage through inflamed or damaged oral mucosa [16,29]. It has been reported that six hours after acute ethanol (40%) consumption, damage had been caused to the oral mucosa epithelium with degeneration of the epithelial cells and leukocyte infiltration; after 12 hours, irreversible cytolysis or swelling of the intermediate layer cells of the oral mucosa developed, whereas 24-48 hours after acute alcohol consumption, disseminated ulcerations developed in the mouth [7,30,31].…”

“…An increase in lactoferrin extracellular concentration is often regarded as an indicator of neutrophil activation [14,15]. A high lactoferrin concentration in saliva is often considered a marker of damage to the salivary glands, gingivitis, or leakage through inflamed or damaged oral mucosa, infiltrated by neutrophils [16]. As iron cations are an essential nutrient for certain types of bacteria, two binding sites for iron cations in lactoferrin provide its bacteriostatic effect by limiting availability of iron for bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans [17,18].…”