Salivary proteins in health and disease.

Abstract

Besides their structural catalytic and diverse regulatory functions, proteins are also precursors of many important biological compounds essential for normal functioning of humans. Many of these compounds may be used as markers for identification of specific pathological states. A comprehensive knowledge about the metabolism of salivary proteins and the mechanisms of action of their metabolites allowed the development of effective treatment for many disorders. However, it should not be forgotten that in some pathological conditions, these compounds not only could be involved in the pathogenesis but also could be used as tool in the prediction of many diseases. This paper is a review of the published literature on selected salivary proteins in the context of the physiological processes of the human body and chosen chronic disorders, such as diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, mucositis, oral mycoses and caries.

Effect of UV-photofunctionalization on oral bacterial attachment and biofilm formation to titanium implant material

“…Furthermore, the salivary and blood components used in our model system that are relevant in the clinical context of implant placement are likely an important factor for the profile of initial bacterial attachment. Especially salivary components are known to provide important binding sites for the surface colonization with oral bacteria [67, 68]. The distinct difference in bacterial profiles between UV-treated and untreated titanium was limited to the initial surface attachment.…”

Effects of Diabetes on Salivary Gland Protein Expression of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Function

“…In the current study, compared with healthy female rats, DB rats showed a significant decrease in saliva production. Previous studies reported that saliva contains several enzymes and serves as a non‐invasive way to measure biologic markers for various systemic as well as oral diseases 15–17 . The identification of specific enzymes (either absent or in abundance) could reveal further information concerning the adverse clinical manifestations associated with xerostomia.…”

Diabetes causes morphological changes in human submandibular gland: a morphometric study

“…Such a close connection between diabetes and oral diseases was explained by the inadequate salivary function in diabetic subjects . Deficiencies in salivary protein content expose mouth and teeth to increased risk of infections . Moreover, the salivary flow reduction can result in clinical dry mouth, which frequently troubles diabetic patients .…”