ascorbic-acid and Salivary-Gland-Diseases

It has been speculated that impaired salivary flow contributes to abnormal acid clearance of the esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux and results in reflux esophagitis (RE). To test this hypothesis, salivary functions were measured by quantitative salivary scintigraphies in patients with RE and in age- and sex-matched controls for comparison. Nineteen patients with RE and 36 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. After an intravenous injection of 5 mCi Tc-99m pertechnetate, sequential images of 1 min/frame were acquired for 30 min. The 1- and 15-min uptake ratios (UR) of the tracer in the four major salivary glands over the backgrounds were calculated. Saliva excretion was stimulated by 1 tablet of 200 mg ascorbic acid given orally 15 min after injection of the tracer, then the maximal excretion ratios (ER) of the four major salivary glands were calculated for the sialagogue stimulation. RE patients had lower values of 1st and 15th min UR and maximal ER than controls in the 4 major salivary glands. Poor salivary functions which represented a decrease in both UR and ER for patients with RE have been confirmed by quantitative salivary scintigraphy in this study.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Esophagitis, Peptic; Esophagoscopy; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Radionuclide Imaging; Saliva; Salivary Gland Diseases; Salivary Glands

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible deterioration of salivary gland function due to radioiodine therapy with low activities using standardized quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy (qSZ). In addition, the prevalence of sialopathies was estimated in patients with thyroid dysfunction.. Prior to routine thyroid scintigraphy qSZ was performed after i.v. injection of 36-126 MBq 99mTc-pertechnetate, and both uptake and excretion fraction were calculated as a measure of parenchymal function and saliva excretion, respectively 312 healthy patients served as reference for a normal data base. 144 patients underwent qSZ prior to and 3 months after radioiodine therapy. Results of qSZ in another 674 thyroid patients were evaluated for determining the prevalence of salivary gland dysfunction.. Normal uptake was 0.45 +/- 0.14% and 0.39 +/- 0.12%, and normal excretion fraction amounted to 49.5 +/- 10.6% and 39.1 +/- 9.2% in parotid and submandibular glands, respectively. Despite salivary gland stimulation with ascorbic acid during radioiodine therapy a significant activity-related functional impairment of 14-90% could be measured after application of 0.4-24 GBq of 131I. Prevalence of pretreatment sialopathies was 77/674 = 11.4% in single glands, and there was a global salivary gland functional impairment in 52/674 = 7.7%.. Together with thyroid scintigraphy qSZ is an easy to perform examination without additional radiation burden. It can be recommended in all patients prior to and after radioiodine therapy both in order to quantify and to document possible parenchymal impairment induced even by low activities of 131I.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Radiation Injuries; Radionuclide Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Saliva; Salivary Gland Diseases; Salivary Glands; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Time Factors

Dynamic radionuclide sialography (DRS) provides data about the aptitude of salivary glands to accumulate the tracer and to secrete the saliva. Visual interpretation of the t/a curves may be onerous when salivary glands uptake function is impaired. The purpose of the study has been to quantify the ascorbic acid (AA) response by means of salivary excretion index (SEI). DRS was performed in 10 healthy subjects and in 118 patients with various diseases of the parotid glands. Data acquisition (80 frames/15 s) started simultaneously with i.v. administration of 99mTcO4. Fifteen minutes later AA was given per os. Regions of interest were set over parotid glands. SEI was derived using the formula: SEI = (2b-a-c)/b, where a, b and c were cpm 3 minutes prior, in the moment when, and 3 minutes after AA was given. In 9 of 10 controls SEI was greater than 55 (mean = 63.2). Results in patients with Sjögren's and Mikulicz's syndrome and sialoadenitis, were significantly lower than in healthy subjects. Lowest results were found in patients with sialolithiasis. It may be concluded that SEI improves objective assessment of the AA response particularly in patients with minute or asymmetric disorders of salivary glands function.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Saliva; Salivary Gland Diseases; Salivary Glands

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Fatty Acids, Essential; Humans; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases; Pyridoxine; Salivary Gland Diseases; Sjogren's Syndrome; Syndrome

Lack of adequate synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) E1 may be the key factor in Sjogren's syndrome. PGE1 is important for lacrimal and salivary gland secretion and for T lymphocyte function: a deficiency could therefore account for the main features of Sjogren's syndrome and the sicca syndrome. PGE1 could also account for many of the other features often associated with these syndromes. These include the Raynaud's phenomenon, the abnormalities of renal function and the precipitation of the syndrome by vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is important in PGE1 biosynthesis. PGE1 treatment has been shown to correct the immunological abnormalities in the NZB/W mouse, the animal model of Sjogren's syndrome. An attempt to treat humans with Sjogren's syndrome by raising endogenous PGE1 production by administration of essential fatty acid PGE1 precursors, of pyridoxine and of vitamin C was successful in raising the rates of tear and saliva production.

Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Ascorbic Acid; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Humans; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases; Middle Aged; Prostaglandins E; Pyridoxine; Salivary Gland Diseases; Sjogren's Syndrome; Syndrome

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Dental Caries; Diet; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Manifestations; Salivary Gland Diseases; Scurvy; Sjogren's Syndrome; Skin Manifestations; Xerostomia