title: Relationships of beta-blockers and anxiolytics intake and salivary secretion, masticatory performance and taste perception.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess the influence of salivary flow on physiological parameters of the stomatognathic system in patients who take beta-blockers or anxiolytic medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients were divided into three groups based on the following criteria: Group 1, control (n=20; no use of medication); Group 2, use of antihypertensive beta-blockers (n=20); and Group 3, use of benzodiazepine anxiolytics (n=20). Salivary flow was assessed by determining stimulated and non-stimulated flow/minute. The quantification of the sense of taste was determined on a visual analogue scale (VAS) using solutions of 0.9% NaCl (salty), 50% sucrose (sweet), 20% unsweetened coffee (bitter) and 4.2% vinegar (sour). The DMFT index (number of decayed/missing/filled teeth) was determined by a calibrated examination, following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Masticatory performance was assessed with an Optosil comminution test and Rosim-Ramler equation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results did not reveal a significant correlation between salivary flow and masticatory performance (p>0.05). We observed significant decreased non-stimulated salivary flow for Group 2 (p=0.05) when compared to controls. However, taste perception was not influenced by salivary secretion amongst groups. Furthermore, we observed a significant negative correlation between non-stimulated salivary flow and DMFT in Group 1 (p=0.02; r=-0.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients under beta-blockers therapy presented reduced non-stimulated salivary flow when compared to controls, without influencing the sense of taste or masticatory performance. The use of anxiolytics did not affect salivary flow and taste perception in the studied sample.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Dentistry Department, Vale do Rio Verde University - UNINCOR, Três Corações, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Faria
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Matos
authors.forename: Stela Márcia
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaminagakura
authors.forename: Leandro Silva
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Cássio Vicente
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Andries
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Bilt
authors.forename: Luciano José
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000187:drug effects*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines