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Nerve growth factor concentration in human saliva
1Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Yunkeun-Dong 28, Chongro-Ku, Seoul 110-749, Korea.
Oral Diseases
|February 20, 2007
Summary
This study measured nerve growth factor (NGF) in human saliva, finding concentrations vary by saliva type, age, and gender. Saliva NGF levels are influenced by collection method, with notable differences between men and women.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Salivary Diagnostics
Background:
- Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is crucial for neuronal development and function.
- Saliva is an accessible biofluid for diagnostic biomarker discovery.
- Limited data exists on normal NGF concentrations in human saliva.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify normal nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in healthy human saliva.
- To explore the influence of age and gender on salivary NGF concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Collected resting whole, stimulated parotid, and stimulated submandibular/sublingual saliva from 127 healthy adults (20-81 years).
- Quantified saliva NGF concentrations using enzyme immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Established mean NGF concentrations: resting whole saliva (901.4 pg/ml), stimulated parotid saliva (885.9 pg/ml), and stimulated submandibular/sublingual saliva (1066.1 pg/ml).
- Identified a negative correlation between age and NGF in stimulated submandibular saliva (P=0.001).
- Observed significantly higher NGF levels in women compared to men for resting whole (P=0.025) and stimulated parotid saliva (P=0.005).
Conclusions:
- Measurable NGF concentrations exist in all tested human saliva types.
- Salivary NGF levels are significantly affected by the saliva source, age, and gender.
- These findings provide baseline data for NGF as a potential salivary biomarker.
