Peroxidase antimicrobial system of human saliva: hypothiocyanite levels in resting and stimulated saliva.
The antimicrobial oxidizing agent hypothiocyanite ion (OSCN-) was measured in resting (drooling) and stimulated (expectorated) whole saliva. Stimulation of the saliva flow rate resulted in a rapid decrease in OSCN- concentration, whereas the thiocyanate ion (SCN-) concentration and peroxidase activity were increased. The decrease in OSCN- levels was greater than could be accounted for by dilution of the whole saliva volume. Assuming that the antimicrobial activity of the salivary peroxidase system is proportional to OSCN- concentration, this system may be more effective in resting saliva than in stimulated saliva.
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D012463:Saliva / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000032:analysis*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D013861:Thiocyanates; C014607:hypothiocyanite ion; D010544:Peroxidases