title: Salivary buffer capacity, pH, and stimulated flow rate of crack cocaine users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. The use of this drug has been considered a public health problem in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR), pH, and the buffer capacity of saliva in crack cocaine users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 54 selected crack cocaine users and 40 non-users. All samples were analyzed for SSFR, pH, and buffer capacity. SSFR was analyzed by gravimetric method. The buffer capacity and pH were determined using a digital pH meter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The crack cocaine users demonstrated higher buffer capacity than the control group (P > 0.05). Salivary pH was lower in crack cocaine users (P < 0.05). Mean values of the SSFR for the experimental and control groups were 1.1 and 1.3 mL/min, respectively (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crack cocaine users might exhibit a significant decrease in salivary pH, but not in salivary flow rate or buffer capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pontificial Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Iverson Ernani Cogo
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Woyceichoski
authors.forename: Carlos Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Cristiano Miranda
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: João Armando
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brancher
authors.forename: Luciane Grochocki
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Antonio Adilson Soares
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Lima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002021:Buffers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D016578:Crack Cocaine
keywords: cocaine; crack cocaine; hyposalivation; saliva; salivary flow rate