Irradiation-induced changes in secretion and composition of rat saliva

The aim of this study was to monitor changes in the composition and the rate of secretion of rat whole, parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva after local irradiation of the salivary gland region with a single dose of 10 Gy. Before and 1-30 days after irradiation, saliva samples were collected after stimulation with pilocarpine. Maximum changes in the latent period, the flow rate and the composition of parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva were observed three days after a radiation dose of 10 Gy. Partial recovery was seen for the latent period, [Pi], [Ca2+] and concentration of amylase, whereas the flow rate and [Na+] remained low and [K+] remained high. The changes in whole saliva were similar to those observed for parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva, although some variation was observed due to contamination with other contributions to oral fluid.