title: Salivary levels of hyaluronic acid in female patients with dry mouth compared with age-matched controls: a pilot study.
abstract: Little is known regarding the association between the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in saliva and dry mouth status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary levels of HA in female patients with dry mouth (perceived xerostomia and hyposalivation) and compare them with age-matched controls. We studied 46 females, and classified them into two groups based on perceived xerostomia and salivary flow rate, as well as a control group without symptoms. HA concentrations in unstimulated whole saliva were determined and a significant difference was found between the groups. The statistical association was stronger in patients (perceived xerostomia, normosalivation) administrated xerogenic drugs, while the HA levels in that group were significantly lower than those in the controls when converted to absolute amount of saliva per min. Within the limitations of the present study, patients with dry mouth had lower HA levels in saliva, which may serve as a marker of local dryness or oral mucosa lubrication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Oral Health Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ansai
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awano
authors.forename: Inho
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamasaki
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakinoki
authors.forename: Tadamichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takehara
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid