Salivary secretion in chronic pancreatitis with special reference to albumin and lactoferrin.

Saliva from one parotid gland was collected under citric acid stimulation in three groups consisting of 69 control subjects and two groups consisting of 25 patients with chronic and relapsing chronic pancreatitis. Mixed saliva was collected under mechanical stimulation from 10 patients and 6 control subjects. Flow rates and the contents of bicarbonate, amylase and protein were determined. In a subgroup of patients and controls albumin and lactoferrin were measured. Wide inter- and intraindividual variations of secretory values were observed and normal values (which are reported in detail) were highly dependent from conditions of stimulation. Secretory patterns were not significantly different between patients and control subjects. It is concluded that the alterations leading to an elevation of albumin and lactoferrin and a fall in other secretory values are restricted to the exocrine pancreas and do not affect salivary glands in chronic pancreatitis.