Free amino-acid composition of wax-stimulated whole saliva in human subjects with healthy periodontium, severe chronic periodontitis and post-juvenile periodontitis.

The free amino-acid composition of wax-stimulated whole saliva of 3 subjects with different periodontal status was determined. The amino acids were analysed by gas chromatographic separation on a packed column and determined as their N-heptafluorobutyrylisobutyl esters. In 2 patients with periodontal diseases, the salivary concentrations of proline and glycine were significantly elevated, suggesting increased collagen and protein degradation and their increased release from the inflamed gingiva. delta-Amino-n-valeric acid is related to bacterial metabolism so that the changes found in its concentrations could suggest an altered plaque metabolism and different bacterial contents in gingival pockets of patients with chronic and post-juvenile periodontitis.