Maier H, Adler D, Menstell S, Lenarz T
Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg). 1984 Dec;63(12):633-5.
Salivary kallikrein was measured in the parotid saliva of 11 patients suffering from chronic recurrent parotitis and 15 healthy control persons. While in the control group kallikrein levels from 1-4 U/l could be registrated, the results obtained from patients were significantly elevated and varied between 23,45 U/l and 89,41 U/l. Release of kallikrein from destroyed duct cells is suggested to be the origin of the elevated salivary levels of this enzyme in chronic recurrent parotitis. A leakage of glandular kallikrein into the interstitial fluid and thereby release of kallidin from kininogen is discussed as a possible mechanism in the development of this disease.
