Intense correlation between protein-conjugated acrolein and primary Sjögren's syndrome

We recently found that an increased plasma concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein is a good biomarker for stroke. Therefore we determine whether the concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein is increased in saliva from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Stimulated whole-mixed saliva was collected from 10 patients and 13 control subjects. The concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein in saliva and plasma was measured by either Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein, especially albumin-conjugated acrolein, was greatly increased in saliva from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (p<0.001). The concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein was inversely correlated with the flow rate of saliva.

The results indicate that the concentration of protein-conjugated acrolein, a marker of cell or tissue damage, in saliva is well correlated with seriousness of primary Sjögren's syndrome.