Salivary amylase activity of the aged.

Previous studies from America and Japan have reported that salivary amylase activity was reduced in the elderly. In contrast to these studies, a recent Chinese study reported an increase in salivary amylase activity in the aged. Our study examined approximately equal numbers of Chinese and non-Chinese Americans. The concentration of salivary amylase was estimated from the activity obtained with a colormetric coupled assay utilizing 4NP-G7. Activity was found to be increased in the aged. Our data are discussed with respect to the claims of the previous studies.