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Levels of pre‐kallikrein in resting and stimulated human parotid and submandibular saliva
Author(s) -
Francis Carol A.,
Hector Mark P.,
Proctor Gordon B.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0722.2001.00091.x
Subject(s) - kallikrein , saliva , submandibular gland , endocrinology , medicine , stimulation , parotid gland , chemistry , amylase , biochemistry , pathology , enzyme
Salivary tissue kallikrein is stored in an active form in human salivary glands. Pre‐kallikrein has been demonstrated in mixed saliva, but it is not clear if the various salivary glands contribute equally. This study set out to determine if pre‐kallikrein is present in human parotid and submandibular salivas at rest, whether levels change during stimulation, and to compare the pattern of pre‐kallikrein and kallikrein secretion with that of total protein. Resting and citric acid‐stimulated parotid and submandibular, and gum‐stimulated parotid saliva samples were collected from 6 healthy subjects. Salivary flows were determined gravimetrically. Total protein concentration and kallikrein enzymic activity were assayed using standard techniques. Pre‐kallikrein was assayed following trypsinisation of duplicate samples. Pre‐kallikrein was present in parotid and submandibular ductal saliva. Proportions of pre‐kallikrein and active kallikrein were similar in salivas secreted at rest and during stimulation, and both outputs mirrored protein output in both major glands. Gum‐stimulated parotid saliva showed lower activity than resting, and no differences were seen between resting and stimulated submandibular samples.