Alterations of nitrate and nitrite content in saliva, serum, and urine in patients with salivary dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
The role of the salivary glands in the maintenance of nitrate and nitrite in saliva is poorly understood. The aim was to study alterations of nitrate and nitrite metabolisms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) or sialosis.


METHODS
Saliva, serum, and urine samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n = 29), patients with SS (n = 31), and patients with sialosis (n = 30). Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
In the healthy group, the highest concentration of nitrate was found in parotid saliva (172 mg/l), followed by urine (160 mg/l), whole saliva (97 mg/l), and serum (33 mg/l). In the SS group, concentration of nitrate was decreased in parotid saliva and whole saliva, and increased significantly in urine. Concentration of nitrite in whole saliva was significantly decreased in the SS group and increased in the sialosis group.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypofunction of the salivary glands is associated with significant changes of nitrate and nitrite levels in the saliva and urine.
Xia
Dengsheng
D
Salivary Gland Disease Center, Faculty of Stomatology, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 00050, PR China.
Deng
Dajun
D
Wang
Songlin
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012472:Salivation; D012636:Secretory Rate; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites