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BMC Oral Health
Published in: BMC Oral Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Stimulated saliva composition in patients with cancer of the head and neck region

Authors: Ulrica Almhöjd, Hulya Cevik-Aras, Niclas Karlsson, Jin Chuncheng, Annica Almståhl

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

To analyse over time changes in stimulated whole saliva regarding total protein, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), and mucin type O-glycans (mostly MUC5B and MUC7) in head and neck cancer patients.

Methods

29 dentate patients (20 men and 9 women, 59 ± 8 years) treated with curative radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer of the head and neck region were included. The stimulated whole salivary secretion rate was determined and saliva collected at four time-points: at pretreatment, and at 6 months, 1 and 2 years post treatment. The total protein concentration was determined spectrophotometrically by using Bicinchoninic Acid assay and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) by using ELISA technique. Glycosylation pattern of salivary mucins was determined in samples collected pre- and post treatment by using LC/MS electrospray and mucin content quantified using SDS-AgPAGE gels and PAS staining.

Results

Compared with pretreatment, the total protein concentration was increased already at 6 months post treatment (p < 0.01), and continued to increase up to 2 years post treatment (p < 0.001). During that period no significant changes in IgA concentration was detected. At pretreatment, the output/min of both total protein and IgA was significantly higher than at all time-points post treatment. Saliva from the cancer patients showed a low abundance/no detectable MUC7, while the MUC5B level remained, compared to saliva from a healthy control. The glycomic analysis showed that the percentage of core 2 O-glycans was increased as core 1, 3 and 4 O-glycans were decreased. The level of sialylation was higher at 6 months post treatment, while sulfation was lower.

Conclusion

A decreased output per minute of proteins at decreased salivary secretion rate, as well as reduced sulfation of MUC5B at 6 months post treatment tended to correlate with the patients’ experience of sticky saliva and oral dryness. At 2 years post treatment, the decreased amount of IgA combined with a lowered salivary secretion rate indicate a reduced oral defense with increased risk of oral infections.
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Metadata
Title
Stimulated saliva composition in patients with cancer of the head and neck region
Authors
Ulrica Almhöjd
Hulya Cevik-Aras
Niclas Karlsson
Jin Chuncheng
Annica Almståhl
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01872-x

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