Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of stimulated parotid salivary constituents in healthy, different-aged subjects.

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland dysfunction has traditionally been associated with old age, and complaints of xerostomia are common in an elderly population. Measurement of certain salivary constituents can provide information about the functional ability of discrete areas of the salivary gland. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to examine levels of salivary constituents in stimulated parotid saliva in a population of different-aged persons.

METHODS

The levels of five salivary constituents (total protein, lactoferrin, proline-rich proteins, sodium, and potassium) were measured in stimulated parotid saliva of 47 healthy, unmedicated men and women over a 10.5 year period.

RESULTS

There were no significant age-related decreases in the presence of total protein, lactoferrin, proline-rich proteins, sodium, and potassium in this exocrine secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm and extend previous cross-sectional studies of salivary constituents, indicating that parotid gland function is maintained in healthy aging individuals.