Evaluation of the Effects of Menopause and Aging on Salivary Function by Quantitative Salivary Scintigraphy

Objectives: It has been speculated that postmenopausal woman and older people have impaired salivary functions. The aim of this study was to prove this hypothesis. Methods: Salivary functions were measured by quantitative salivary scintigraphies in 43 postmenopausal healthy women, 96 older (＞50 years old) healthy men, 43 premenopausal healthy women, and 30 younger (≦50 years old) healthy men for comparison. After the intravenous injection of5mCi 99mTc pertechnetate, sequential images of 1 minute/frame were acquired for 30 min. The 1st and 15th minute uptake ratios (UR) of the tracer uptake in the four major salivary glands over the backgrounds were calculated. Saliva excretion was stimulated by 1 tablet of 200 mg ascorbic acid given orally 15min post-injection of the tracer, and then the maximal excretion ratios (ER) of the four major salivary glands were calculated for sialagogue stimulation. Results: No significant changes in salivary functions with abnormal DR or ER after menopause and during aging were found in this study. Conclusions: Major gland fluid secretion capacity is maintained in healthy menopausal and older individuals.