QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bird, J. L. Articles by Longton, R. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bird, J. L. Articles by Longton, R. W.

Xylitol Associated Changes in Amylase and Protein Content of Monkey Parotid Saliva^1,2,

Department of Dental Sciences, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 and National Institute of Dental Research, National Caries Program, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

The purpose of this study was to examine amylase activity in the parotid saliva of monkeys fed a high sugar diet supplemented for 3-day periods with either sucrose or xylitol. All monkeys fed xylitol displayed a significant elevation of amylase activity and total protein content in their parotid saliva. The specific activity of amylase (units/mg protein) did not differ between the two diets. The possible importance of this observation to the purported cariostatic action of xylitol is discussed.

KEY WORDS: • xylitol • saliva • amylase • dental caries

¹ This work supported by Navy Medical Research and Development Command, Research Task MR 041.20.02.0432.

² The experiments reported herein were conducted according to the principles set forth in the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." Institute of Laboratory Resources, National Research Council, DHEW Pub. No. (NIH) 78-23.

³ Reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. B. J. Baum, Building 10, Room 6N260, National Institutes of Health, Betheada, Maryland 20014.

Manuscript received 20 December 1970.