Study of salivary response to continuous infusion of cerulein and secretinin healthy subjects

Objective. The effects of intravenous infusion of cerulein and secretin on the secretion and biochemical composition of whole saliva in humans were st udied. Study design, A total of 33 subjects were divided into 3 groups, which unde rwent intravenous infusion with saline solution (NaCl 0.15 mol/L-1); saline solution, cerulein (1.25 x 10(-3) mu g kg(-1) min(-1)), and cerulein suppl emented with secretin (2.5 x 10(-2) clinical units kg(-1) min(-1)); and sal ine solution, secretin (2.5 x 10(-2) clinical units kg(-1) min(-1)), and se cretin supplemented with cerulein (1.25 x 10(-3) mu g kg(-1) min(-1)). Results. Cerulein reduced salivary flow rate, bicarbonate concentration and output, and protein output and increased amylase activity. The inhibitory effect of cerulein on salivary flow rate and bicarbonate concentration and output prevailed when an infusion of cerulein was supplemented with secreti n. Cerulein and secretin acting together increased protein concentration. S ecretin alone decreased salivary flow rate and bicarbonate concentration, w hereas secretin supplemented with cerulein not only decreased salivary flow rate, bicarbonate concentration, and bicarbonate output but also increased protein concentration. Conclusion. The effect of secretin and cerulein on salivary secretion and i ts composition is quite different from that observed in the pancreas.