Negative correlation of anti-U1RNP antibody titers and the amount of salivary secretion with age correction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to reveal whether or not the presence of anti-U1RNP antibodies is associated with a low amount of salivary secretion (ASS).


METHODS
Twenty females (mean age 49+/-12 years) who had anti-U1RNP but not ACA, anti-Ro, or anti-La antibodies (anti-U1RNP-positive group), and 65 control females (mean age 50+/-12 years) were included in this study. The saxon test was performed to measure the ASS.


RESULTS
After a correction for age by ANCOVA, ASS in the anti-U1RNP-positive group was significantly lower than ASS in the control group (p <0.001). In the control group, ASS was not significantly decreased with advanced age (r=-0.140, p=0.211). In the anti-U1RNP-positive group, ASS was decreased with age, without a significant difference (r=-0.379, p=0.100). In the next analysis, we introduced 'ASS with age correction', assuming that all subjects in the anti-U1RNP-positive group were 49 years of age. A negative correlation between the titers of anti-U1RNP antibodies and the ASS with the age correction in the anti-U1RNP-positive group was noted (r=-0.520, p=0.019). The log of the antinuclear antibodies titers, or titers of rheumatoid factor was significantly correlated with the titers of anti-U1RNP antibodies, respectively (r=0.466, p=0.038 and r=0.595, p=0.006; respectively). The pathological findings of minor salivary gland biopsy in 2 subjects were compatible with Sjögren's syndrome; one subject showed moderate lymphocytic infiltration.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of anti-U1RNP antibodies is associated with reduced ASS.
Takada
Kunio
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa. dr20021@ndmc.ac.jp
Suzuki
Kimihiro
K
Matsumoto
Mitsuyo
M
Okada
Makoto
M
Nakanishi
Takashi
T
Horikoshi
Hideyuki
H
Higuchi
Tomoaki
T
Ohsuzu
Fumitaka
F
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012472:Salivation / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear; C490688:SNRNP70 protein, human; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins