Salivary studies in alcoholic cirrhosis

Eighteen patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were examined, and parotid saliva was collected. Enlargements of the parotid glands were seen in eleven of the eighteen patients (61%). This percentage is in accord with the data previously reported. The salivary findings of increased flow rate, protein, and amylase levels indicate that hypertrophy and increased acinar function may be a component of the parotid enlargement and that, furthermore, a fatty replacement of functional gland tissue is probably not involved. In addition, the salivary electrolyte changes found, increased potassium with effectively decreased sodium excretion, suggest that the elevated aldosterone level commonly found in cirrhotic patients affects salivary secretions in these patients in much the same way as it does in patients with hypertension.