title: Sialochemistry and cortisol levels in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (i) To determine whether salivary cortisol and electrolyte levels differ between patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) and healthy individuals. (ii) To assess correlations between whole-saliva cortisol and some clinical manifestations in patients with SjS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 healthy women (mean age 49.3±9.8) served as controls (C) vis-à-vis 17 patients with SjS (mean age 55.5±15.7). Salivary cortisol concentration was determined, and sialochemistry analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower saliva flow rates and higher salivary chloride (Cl(-) ), potassium (K(+) ), and Ca(2+) levels were found in the SjS group. No significant differences or correlations were found in other parameters, including sodium (Na(+) ), magnesium (Mg(2+) ), phosphate ((-) ), urea (U), and salivary cortisol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased whole-salivary output of Cl(-) and K(+) in SjS may reflect release from apoptotic rests of acinar cells after secondary necrosis. Normal levels of salivary Na(+) , Mg(2+) , and (-) argue against concentration effect, deranged tubular function or cortisol (mineralocorticosteroid) effect as the cause for these findings. Increased salivary Ca(2+) levels probably reflect leakage of plasma Ca(2+) through the injured oral mucosa in SjS. In spite of disease-associated stress, salivary cortisol, a stress biomarker, was not increased, suggesting insufficient hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response and/or local consumption of cortisol by lymphocyte infiltrates.
authors: Salivary Gland Clinic and Saliva Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Oral Medicine, University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors: B E
authors: BE
authors: Miller
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Deutsch
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Redlich
authors: Y T
authors: YT
authors: Konttinen
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Benoliel
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Zaks
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Davidovich
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Palmon
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Aframian
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D004573:Electrolytes; D010710:Phosphates; D014508:Urea; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D006854:Hydrocortisone