The correlationship between the protease activity and the epithelial cells in the saliva from the patients with gingivitis or marginal periodontitis (author's transl)

Abstract

We have already reported the positive correlation between calculus index and the protease activities in whole saliva. The purpose of this paper was to determine the origin of the proteases.The saliva was collected in the siliconized tubes from the patients with gingivitis or marginal periodontitis before and after oral prophylaxis. The numbers of leukocyte and epithelial cell in the saliva were counted. The protease activity was determined by a fluorophotometer using hemoglobin as a substrate.The protease activity was not detectable in parotid saliva, but a little in submaxillary saliva. However, the activity was observed in the whole saliva from edentulous persons. The oral prophylaxis reduced the protease activity (pH 8.5), the number of leukocyte and epithelial cell and calcium concentration. The positive significant correlation was observed between the protease activity and the number of epithelial cell, not of leukocyte.These results suggest that the epithelial cell is a main source of the salivary protease.