Immunoglobulins in serum, whole saliva, and parotid saliva of male healthy and psoriatic individuals.

Abstract

The present study was initiated by controversial findings in earlier reports dealing with immunoglobulin levels in serum and saliva of psoriatic patients. Daily fluctuation and salivary secretion rate were considered additionally. Starting at 8.00 h the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM were measured by laser nephelometry in serum and parotid saliva of ten male patients (range of age: 22–60 years) suffering from psoriasis vulgaris. Venous blood and non-stimulated saliva samples were taken every 6 h for a period of 24 h. IgE was measured radioimmunologically under the same conditions. Results were compared to those of a control group of ten healthy males (range of age: 19–29 years). Additionally, the flow rate of parotid saliva (μl/min) was determined and combining both measurements, the secretion rate for salivary immunoglobulins was calculated (μg/min). For IgG and IgM in serum the difference between patients and controls did not reach statistical significance. However, the mean serum IgA-level was significantly higher in the patients (P≤0.01). Results at different test times were in the same range in patients and controls. IgE measurements in serum revealed patients with normal (<100 U/ml), border line (≈100 U/ml), and elevated (≫100 U/ml) levels. In parotid saliva, IgG could be determined only in 22% of all samples, IgE could not be detected. For IgM no significant difference between controls and patients was established. Considering the mean salivary IgA levels, no difference for both groups could be proved, but the 2.00 h value was significantly (P≤0.05) elevated in the patients. The flow rate of parotid saliva showed a similar pattern in patients and controls decreasing to a minimum at 2.00 h. By aid of new and more exact methods an elevation of only IgA in serum (and saliva at night) has been confirmed in male psoriatics compared to older references.