INDICATORS OF SALIVARY-GLAND INFLAMMATION IN PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

The aim of this study was to establish additional indicators in saliva and plasma which are associated with salivary gland inflammation in p atients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). ELISA assays were used t o determine the concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sIL-2R alpha, IgA, IgG, calprotectin and albumin in parotid saliva, whole saliva and pla sma samples. Soluble ICAM-1 was present in whole and parotid saliva sa mples from primary SS patients. Soluble VCAM-1 and sIL-2R alpha could not be detected in salivary samples from either primary SS or control subjects. IgA, IgG, calprotectin and albumin concentrations were highe r in both whole and parotid saliva in the patient group compared with the control group. The results showed increased levels of calprotectin in all saliva samples compared to plasma, suggesting that calprotecti n may be locally produced. Increased plasma values of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 , sIL-2R alpha, IgA, IgG and calprotectin were detected in primary SS patients when compared to controls. The output/min of IgA, IgG, calpro tectin and albumin was decreased in SS patients. Plasma levels of vari ous proteins could offer information concerning glandular and extragla ndular inflammatory processes. However, salivary levels of these prote ins (particularly sICAM-1) tend to reflect more the local inflammatory activity, providing a convenient and non-invasive tool for diagnosis.