Desipramine induced changes in salivary proteins, cultivable oral microbiota and gingival health in aging female NIA Fischer 344 rats

Cyclic antidepressants are still a dominating group of psychotherapeutic dr ugs used in the treatment of depression. One of their major side effect is salivary gland dysfunction (oral dryness, xerostomia), leading in humans to increased oral disease and dysfunction of speech, chewing, swallowing and taste. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the long-term administration of the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine and the reversi bility of this treatment following a 15 d washout period on specific saliva ry proteins, composition of oral microbiota, and oral health (gingivitis) o f aging female F344 rats. Total salivary proteins showed decreased concentr ations with age and desipramine. Similar SDS/PAGE protein profiles appeared in all phases but in different relative amounts with age and treatment. Wh ile certain proteins maintained steady levels (lactoferrin) or decreased wi th age and treatment (amylase), the synthesis of proline-rich proteins, hig h molecular weight mucin-type glycoproteins, and lysozyme was induced with desipramine and age. The oral microbiota was significantly changed with age and the administration of the antidepressant. The incidence of gingivitis with desipramine was highest in the oldest animals. For the different param eters measured, recovery was delayed with age. These data indicate, that de sipramine has profound effects on salivary protein secretion. This may part ially explain the changes in microbiota and the increased incidence of ging ivitis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.