Changes in the ions and protein concentrations and flow rate of parotid saliva by tongue sour stimulation

: Changes in the concentrations of ions (K+, Cl-, Na+), total protein, amylase activity and flow rate of parotid saliva were observed by tongue stimulation with 3% tartaric acid various intervals in a subject after about one hour rest. The results may be summarized as follows: 1) After about one hour rest state, the values of each item were K+: 42-56 mEq/l, Cl-: 8-28 mEq/l, Na+: 1-10 mEq/l, total protein: 5.7-11 mg/ml, amylase activity: 2-6.5 x 10(3)U/ml and flow rate: 0.03-0.05 ml/min. 2) The changes were classified into two groups based on the recovery from peak to rest values. One group showed short recovery times (Cl-: 20 min., Na+: 8 min. and flow rate: 2 min.) and the other group had rather longer recovery times (K+: 40 min., total protein: 55 min. and amylase activity: 40 min.). The differences between these two groups were clear when the stimulus intervals were 30 sec. to 5 min. 3) When the tongue was stimulated every 15 sec. all items showed first responses, after that, the all values except the flow rate remained unchanged. 4) Different values in ions and protein concentrations and amylase activity were observed when the flow rate was similar before and after stimulation. 5) The recovery time of the responses of protein concentration and amylase activity to stimulation was about one hour, and a rest period of more than one hour is necessary to analyze the concentration of total protein and amylase activity in parotid saliva.