Implications for Diagnostics in the Biochemistry and Physiology of Saliva

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1098; no. 1; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: NIEUW AMERONGEN, ARIE v., LIGTENBERG, ANTOON J. M., VEERMAN, ENNO C. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-03-2007
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - chemistry; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; diagnostics; Humans; saliva; Saliva - chemistry; Saliva - physiology; salivary proteins; Salivary Proteins and Peptides - analysis; Salivary Proteins and Peptides - chemistry; Salivary Proteins and Peptides - physiology; standardization; variables
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1196/annals.1384.033

:  Oral fluid mainly consists of a mixture of glandular salivas. In addition, it is contaminated by some crevicular fluid, containing serum constituents. The contribution of the various salivary glands shows a continuous variation, resulting in wide ranges of concentrations for all constituents of oral fluid. As a consequence, the collection of oral fluid for diagnostic purposes should be standardized. Oral fluid can be used to detect a number of diseases and recent use of illicit drugs. It can also be used to monitor therapeutic drug concentrations. The development of microchips for salivary components offers great possibilities to use oral fluid for point‐of‐care testing.