Dataset Information

Lubricating properties of chewing stimulated whole saliva from patients suffering from xerostomia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The study aimed to quantify the lubricating properties of chewing stimulated whole saliva from healthy controls (n = 22), from patients suffering from primary Sjögren's syndrome (n = 37) and from patients undergoing head-and-neck radiotherapy (n = 34).

Materials and methods

All participants had to complete the Xerostomia Inventory questionnaire to score dry mouth sensation. Lubrication was measured using an ex vivo tongue-enamel friction system in terms of Relief and Relief period. MUC5b and total protein concentrations of the saliva samples were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a bicinchoninic acid assay, respectively.

Results

Relief of Sjögren's patients' saliva and post-irradiation patients' saliva was similar compared with healthy controls, but saliva from post-irradiation patients lubricated significantly better than saliva from Sjögren's patients. The Relief period was similar between the three groups. The Relief and Relief period were higher for saliva samples post-irradiation compared to pre-irradiation. MUC5b and total protein concentrations were comparable in all groups. MUC5b and total protein output were significantly lower in patients subjected to radiotherapy compared to saliva from healthy controls and pre-irradiation patients. MUC5b concentrations positively correlated with lubricating properties of post-irradiation patient saliva.

Conclusions

The lubricating properties of patient saliva were not any worse than healthy controls. Lower flow rate leads to lower availability of saliva in the oral cavity and decreases the overall output of protein and MUC5b, which might result in an insufficient replenishing of the mucosal salivary film.

Clinical relevance

An insufficient replenishing might underlie the sensation of a dry mouth and loss of oral function.

SUBMITTER: Vinke J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8310523 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundTo analyse over time changes in stimulated whole saliva regarding total protein, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), and mucin type O-glycans (mostly MUC5B and MUC7) in head and neck cancer patients.Methods29 dentate patients (20 men and 9 women, 59 ± 8 years) treated with curative radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer of the head and neck region were included. The stimulated whole salivary secretion rate was determined and saliva collected at four time-points: at pretreatment, and at 6 months, 1 and 2 years post treatment. The total protein concentration was determined spectrophotometrically by using Bicinchoninic Acid assay and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) by using ELISA technique. Glycosylation pattern of salivary mucins was determined in samples collected pre- and post treatment by using LC/MS electrospray and mucin content quantified using SDS-AgPAGE gels and PAS staining.ResultsCompared with pretreatment, the total protein concentration was increased already at 6 months post treatment (p < 0.01), and continued to increase up to 2 years post treatment (p < 0.001). During that period no significant changes in IgA concentration was detected. At pretreatment, the output/min of both total protein and IgA was significantly higher than at all time-points post treatment. Saliva from the cancer patients showed a low abundance/no detectable MUC7, while the MUC5B level remained, compared to saliva from a healthy control. The glycomic analysis showed that the percentage of core 2 O-glycans was increased as core 1, 3 and 4 O-glycans were decreased. The level of sialylation was higher at 6 months post treatment, while sulfation was lower.ConclusionA decreased output per minute of proteins at decreased salivary secretion rate, as well as reduced sulfation of MUC5B at 6 months post treatment tended to correlate with the patients' experience of sticky saliva and oral dryness. At 2 years post treatment, the decreased amount of IgA combined with a lowered salivary secretion rate indicate a reduced oral defense with increased risk of oral infections.