Parotid Saliva in Cystic Fibrosis: II. Electrolytes and Protein-Bound Carbohydrates

EXAMINATION of the parotid saliva affords a convenient means of studying possible aberrations of exocrine gland function in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. The present study, in two parts, deals with the electrolytes (Part 1) and protein-bound carbohydrates (Part 2) found in the parotid saliva of patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. Several investigators have reported elevation of sodium and chloride levels in patients with cystic fibrosis where samples were collected without stimulation 1,2 and with reflex stimulation. 3 However, in another study in which parotid flow was reflexly stimulated, differences in levels of sodium and chloride were reported to be of "borderline significance." 4 The calcium and phosphorus content of reflexly stimulated parotid saliva has been reported to be significantly elevated in children with cystic fibrosis. 4 Abnormalities in the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins have also been reported in duodenal fluid, 5 sweat, 6 and submaxillary