Saliva functions

Continuing the theme of saliva function, Chapter 3 describes environmental factors that affect the mineralization of hard tissue. The author describes in vitro investigations by himself and others on the relative roles of saliva and plaque fluid, and how the presence or absence of a biofilm affects the efficacy of anticaries agents. Other work focuses on the effects of lesion composition and of lesion proximity to dentine on subsequent enamel de- and remineralization behaviour. The author also discusses the importance of how the characteristics of pre-formed artificial lesions can influence subsequent mineralization behaviour in both in vitro and in situ studies. 

This occurs in the seromucous secretions such as saliva, tears, nasal secretions, sweat, colostrum and secretions of the lung, urinogenital and gastrointestinal tracts. Its purpose appears to be to protect the external surfaces of the body from microbial attack. It occurs as a dimer in these secretions but as a monomer in human plasma, where its function is not known. The function of IgA appears to be to prevent the adherence of microorganisms to the surface ofmucosal cells thus preventing them entering the body tissues. It is protected from proteolysis by combination with another protein—the secretory component. 

Abnormally high concentrations of sodium and chloride are found in sweat due to impaired reabsorption within the sweat duct from loss of CFTR channels. Patients are usually asymptomatic (other than a characteristic salty taste to the skin).2 In rare instances such as hot weather or excessive sweating during physical activity, patients may become dehydrated and experience symptoms of hyponatremia (nausea, headache, lethargy, and confusion). Similar CFTR defects are also seen in the salivary glands, manifested by increased saliva viscosity and impaired salivary function. 

PAM chloride - 2-pralidoxime chloride. See oxime, parasympathetic nervous system -the part of the autonomic nervous system that decreases pupil size, heart rate, and blood pressure and increases functions, such as secretion of saliva, tears, and perspiration. 

One bodily function that relies on acids and bases is the process of digestion. During digestion, food is broken down into small molecules that the body can use. Digestion begins in the mouth when food comes into contact with an enzyme called amylase found in the saliva. Enzymes are the body s catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions that would otherwise be too slow to be useful to the body. Amylase breaks down starch molecules and converts them into sugars. 

Although most drugs are absorbed from the intestine by the blood capillary network in the villi, they can also be taken up by the lymphatic system (an integral and necessary part of the vascular system, the function of which is to collect extra tissue fluid and return it to the vascular compartment), particularly by M cells that reside in the Peyer s patch regions of the intestine. Peyer s patches have also been implicated in the regulation of the secretory immune response. Wachsmann et al. [277] reported that an antigenic material encapsulated within a liposome, when administered perorally, is taken up by these M cells and exhibited better saliva and serum IgA (primary and secondary)... 

Hirudin is a leech-derived anticoagulant that functions by directly inhibiting thrombin. A range of blood-sucking animals contain substances in their saliva that specifically inhibit some element of the blood coagulation system (Table 12.4). 

In some instances there is a possibility that the efficacy of these preparations may be compromised by conditions associated with the digestive tract. Most function at pH values approaching neutrality. They would thus display activity possibly in saliva and particularly in the small intestine. However, the acidic conditions of the stomach (where the pH can be below 1.5) may denature some of these enzymes. Furthermore, the ingested enzymes would also be exposed to endogenous proteolytic activities associated with the stomach and small intestine. Some of these difficulties, however, may be at least partially overcome by formulating the product as a tablet coated with an acid-resistant film to protect the enzyme as it passes through the stomach. 

Low secretion of saliva and less mucin in the produced saliva are not unusual in older individuals. Saliva has a number of protective functions of which the most important is protection against irritation by both chemical and mechanical trauma to... 

Edgar WM (1992) Saliva Its secretion, composition and functions. Br Dent J... 

But not everything that norepinephrine and acetylcholine do is opposed. In one case, they cooperate. Acetylcholine stimulates penile erection by increasing blood flow to that organ. Norepinephrine controls ejaculation. In still other cases, the pharmacology of these neurotransmitters is unique. For example, acetylcholine induces urination by causing the bladder to constrict. Acetylcholine also induces secretion of saliva and tears. Norepinephrine has nothing to do with these functions. 

Ticks have a bad reputation for good reasons. Not only are they carriers of a number of diseases, the saliva of some can cause paralysis. North American natives were aware of tick paralysis, but the condition was officially noted as a disease of both animals and humans in 1912. The bites of at least 60 species of ticks can cause paralysis, which often does not appear until several days after the bite. The first indication is redness and swelling around the site of the bite. This is followed by neuromuscular weakness and difficulty in walking. If the tick is not removed, speech and breathing are affected, with eventual respiratory paralysis and death. Fortunately, removal of the tick results in a quick recovery of function. The exact mechanism of paralysis is not known but it appears to come from a substance that affects the neuromuscular junction. While not related to the venom of the tick saliva, the tick can also transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, typhus, and others. Table 13.1 lists some venomous arachnids. 

The human body contains lactoperoxidase, a product of exocrine secretion into milk, saliva, tears, etc., and peroxidases with specialized functions in saliva, the thyroid, eosinophils,219 and neutrophils.220 The functions are largely protective but the enzymes also participate in biosynthesis. Mammalian peroxidases have heme covalently linked to the proteins, as indicated in Fig. 16-12 220 222a... 

The use of acidulants is an essential part of beverage formulation, with the acid component usually third in order of concentration. Acidulants performs a variety of functions in addition to their primary thirst-quenching properties, which are the result of stimulation of the flow of saliva in the mouth. Because it reduces pH, an acidulant can act as a mild preservative and in some respects as a flavour enhancer, depending on the other components present. In addition, by functioning as a synergist to antioxidants such as butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid, acidulants can indirectly prevent discolouration and ranciditye. 

---