[Salivary secretion and taste alterations in elderly subjects]

Morphologically the relative volume of the secretory acini in all types of salivary glands decreases with the age, whereas that of connective and adipose tissue increase. In addition, the rate of protein synthesis diminishes in older salivary glands. Nevertheless, the function of the secretory process is maintained throughout life. Stimulation of the salivary secretion by citric acid is unchanged in older people. On the other hand, the composition of saliva undergoes alterations with age. Taste alterations are in general not dramatical: the least for acid and the most for the salt acuity. From these data it can be concluded that xerostomia and salivary complaints of elderly are not caused primarily by decrements in the function of the salivary glands, but rather in many cases a secondary consequence of a salivary gland disease, or of a chronic medication e.g. by antihypertensive, sedative, antidepressive, narcotics etc.