title: Enzyme activities in parotid saliva of patients with the restrictive type of anorexia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) specific signs may occur in the oral cavity, but there are conflicting reports about their significance, especially concerning changes in salivary composition. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the resting parotid flow rate (PFR) and the activity of the following enzymes in parotid saliva: amylase, aspartate amino transferase (AST), lysozyme, peroxidase, serine and acidic proteases in the acute phase of the restrictive type of AN and to compare the findings with those in healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one subjects participated (20 patients with AN, 21 matched healthy controls), parotid saliva was collected using a modified Lashley cap at rest. Enzyme activities were measured with fluorimetric and photometric assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The unstimulated PFR was significantly lower than in the controls, lysozyme and AST activity was significantly lower, and amylase showed a high inter-individual variability. A positive correlation for amylase and lysozyme and negative ones for lysozyme and BMI, lysozyme and IBW%, serine protease and salivary flow were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced PFR and enzyme activities levels suggest that AN does not only affect the quantity of the saliva but also its quality and, its biological functions. The results obtained should help to provide a better understanding of the effect of AN disease on the pathogenesis of at least some oral diseases. Further research is needed on any possible role of reduced lysozyme and transaminase activity in maintaining oral protection against external toxic agents and bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials and Experimental Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Bukowska str 70, 60-812 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: paszynska@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paszynska
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna str 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: asrs@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slopien
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka str 8, 60-812 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: mweglarz@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dmitrzak-Weglarz
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Operative Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine 'Carl Gustav Carus', TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01-307 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: christian.hannig@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hannig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000201:enzymology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000201:enzymology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Eating disorders; Enzymes; Parotid saliva