Quantity of Salivary Immunoglobulin A, Lysozyme and Magnesium in Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome and Xerostomia
Recent studies suggest a connection between burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and the quantitiy and quality of saliva. The aim of our study was to determine quantities of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA), lysozyme and magnesium in unstimulated and stimulated saliva of patients with burning mouth syndrome and xerostomia. Salivary samples were obtained by sialometry. Salivary immunoglobulin A was determined by radial immunodiffusion according to Manzini, lysozyme levels were obtained according to Osserman and Lowlor, and magnesium was determined using atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. Levels of sIgA were decreased in stimulated whole saliva of patients with BMS and xerostomia when compared to those in unstimulated saliva (p<0.001). Lysozyme levels were also lower in stimulated whole saliva in such patients when compared to the levels in unstimulated saliva (p<0.001). Magnesium levels remain unchanged with regard to the salivary stimulation. The results of our study indicate that the quantity and quality of saliva could have an impact on symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.