Analyses of organic acids and inorganic anions and their relationship in human saliva before and after glucose intake.
OBJECTIVE
The goals of this study were to determine the content of organic acids and inorganic anions in human saliva by using an ion chromatography method, to compare the organic acid and inorganic anion concentrations before and after a sugar rinse, and to investigate the relationships between the levels of each compound.


METHODS
Saliva samples were obtained from 37 subjects before and up to 60min after intake of a 10% glucose solution. Concentrations of seven organic acids (lactate, acetate, propionate, formate, butyrate, pyruvate, and valerate) and four inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, sulphate, and phosphate) were determined via anion-exchange chromatography with an anion-suppressed conductivity detector.


RESULTS
The current analytical method showed good precision and accuracy. Organic acid levels increased after the sugar rinse and recovered to control levels within 20min. Acetate was the predominant organic acid detected in the saliva before the sugar rinse, and lactate was the predominant organic acid detected after the sugar rinse. The overall organic acid content generated by the sugar rinse was positively correlated with the chloride, sulphate, and phosphate concentration, but somewhat negatively correlated with the fluoride concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Organic acid levels are increased in human saliva by glucose metabolism. Furthermore, the formation of organic acids following glucose intake is influenced by the prevailing anion content.
Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Yong-Duk
YD
Park
Jong-Hwa
JH
Jang
Yoon-Jong
YJ
Oh
Ha-Jeong
HJ
Kwon
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000838:Anions / Q000032:analysis*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D000838:Anions; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D005947:Glucose
Glucose metabolism; Inorganic anion; Ion chromatography; Organic acid; Saliva