[Protein diffusion patterns in human saliva].

Background: There are two modes of saliva protein diffusion on a cellulose flat matrix. The monophasic mode of diffusion consists in a homogeneous distribution of salivary protein components on the matrix. On the contrary, in the biphasic mode, an area occupied by nondiffusible proteins is surrounded by an area occupied by diffusible proteins.

Aim: To study protein diffusion patterns of saliva obtained from normal human volunteers.

Material And Methods: Saliva was obtained from 33 subjects aged 67.5 +/- 12 years old (29 female). Forty microliters of saliva were deposited in the center of cellulose disks for protein diffusion assays.

Results: Thirty three whole saliva samples and 31 submandibular/sublingual samples showed a biphasic diffusion pattern. On the contrary, 62 out of 66 samples of parotid saliva displayed a monophasic diffusion pattern. In one parotid saliva samples and 2 submandibular/sublingual samples, the diffusion pattern could not be established. Patterns of salivary protein diffusion were highly consistent within the same individual. Eighty percent of subjects had an unequivocal pattern of saliva protein diffusion.

Conclusions: The monophasic mode of saliva protein diffusion is a feature of parotid saliva, whereas the biphasic mode is characteristic of submandibular/sublingual and whole saliva.