title: Determination of salivary levels of mucin and amylase in chronic periodontitis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with periodontal disease show differences in the profile of proteins in whole saliva. This profile reflects the nature and amplitude of the host response to a periodontal microbial challenge. Since periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with different progression stages, the aim of the study was to evaluate the host response in these different clinical stages by assessing salivary flow rate, the concentrations of proteins and mucin and the amylase activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty adult subjects were clinically examined and distributed into four groups (n = 15) according to the periodontal status, namely, healthy, mild, moderate and severe periodontitis. Whole saliva was collected for 5 min, followed by a second 5 min sampling period with stimulation by chewing a paraffin block, and flow rate was determined. Salivary proteins, amylase and mucin were determined by colorimetric methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentrations of proteins, amylase and mucin increased in subjects with moderate and severe periodontal disease in unstimulated saliva, while flow rate decreased. A positive correlation was found between proteins and amylase or mucin concentrations among the different groups, indicating that the concentrations changed in the same way, being the response of salivary glands to the disease, possibly to enhance the protective potential of saliva. Mucin concentration was lower in the mild periodontitis group. Mechanical stimulation induced an increase in flow rate and output of proteins, amylase and mucin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periodontitis induces an increase in the output of proteins, including mucin and amylase, thereby enhancing the protective potential of saliva, but this is accompanied by a decrease in flow rate.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Unit, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miozza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Busch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D003124:Colorimetry; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D010519:Periodontium / Q000378:metabolism; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009077:Mucins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000681:Amylases