Saliva secretion is reduced in mild reflux esophagitis patients

• Published in: Esophagus : official journal of the Japan Esophageal Society Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 351 - 359
• Main Authors: Koeda, Mai, Tanabe, Tomohide, Kitasako, Yuichi, Momma, Eri, Hoshikawa, Yoshimasa, Hoshino, Shintaro, Kawami, Noriyuki, Kaise, Mitsuru, Iwakiri, Katsuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 01.04.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Body fluids; Case-Control Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epidermal growth factor; Epidermal Growth Factor - analysis; Epidermal Growth Factor - metabolism; Esophagitis, Peptic; Esophagus; Gastroenterology; Gastroesophageal reflux; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Saliva - metabolism; Surgical Oncology; Thoracic Surgery; Mild reflux esophagitis; Saliva secretion; Salivary epidermal growth factor
• ISSN: 1612-9059; 1612-9067; 1612-9067
• DOI: 10.1007/s10388-021-00880-8

Background Salivary secretion in patients with mild reflux esophagitis has not been examined. In this study, saliva secretion and salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients with mild reflux esophagitis were investigated. Methods Thirty-eight mild reflux esophagitis patients and 38 control subjects were recruited for this case–control study. Saliva secretion testing was performed. Saliva secretion was assessed as follows: each patient chewed sugar-free gum for 3 min prior to endoscopy, and the volume and pH of saliva before and after acid loading as an index of the acid-buffering capacity were measured. The salivary EGF concentration was assessed by ELISA. Results The volume of saliva secreted was significantly ( p  = 0.0412) lower in the mild reflux esophagitis group than in the control group, with medians (25th–75th percentile) of 4.2 mL/3 min [2.6–6.2] and 6.0 [3.9–8.0], respectively. No significant differences were observed in salivary pH (the mild reflux esophagitis group: 7.1 [6.9–7.2], the control group 7.2 [7.1–7.3]). Salivary pH after acid loading was significantly ( p  = 0.0009) lower in the mild reflux esophagitis group (5.9 [5.5–6.3]) than in the control group (6.3 [6.2–6.5]). No significant differences were noted in salivary EGF concentrations (the mild reflux esophagitis group: 1739.0 pg/mL [1142.3–3329.0], the control group: 1678.0 [1091.8–2122.5]. Conclusion The secretion volume and acid-buffering capacity of stimulated saliva were reduced in patients with mild reflux esophagitis.