title: [Effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase, total protein, salivary flow rate and pH value in Pi deficiency children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.
authors.forename: Ze-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Long-hui
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei-wen
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D012463:Saliva; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000516:alpha-Amylases
chemical_list: D019343:Citric Acid; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D000516:alpha-Amylases; C057084:glycosylated alpha-amylase