title: Effect of hormone replacement therapy on salivary flow rate, buffer effect and pH on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
abstract: The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on salivary gland functions were examined in a longitudinal study. The flow rate, buffer effect and pH of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva were analysed in 8 perimenopausal and 19 postmenopausal women. The saliva samples were collected 1-2 days before as well as 3 and 5 months after the start of HRT. Salivary flow rates were higher (p <0.033) in the perimenopausal than in the postmenopausal group. The flow rates increased significantly (p <0.001) during HRT in both groups. Similarly, buffer effect and pH showed significant (p = 0.004 and p = 0.009, respectively) time-related changes without any differences between the groups. It appears that HRT improves both the quantity and the quality of salivary gland function in peri- and postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laine
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leimola-Virtanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002021:Buffers; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel