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Altered Salivary Alpha-Amylase Secretion in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Zhuoni Xu1, Baoping Wei2, Yanting Qiu1
1Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Gastroenterology Research and Practice
|July 7, 2018
Summary
Patients with ulcerative colitis show increased anxiety and depression, linked to higher salivary alpha-amylase levels, indicating sympathetic nervous system overactivity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients often experience psychological distress and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction.
- Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) reflects sympathetic activity, while salivary flow rate (SFR) indicates parasympathetic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in salivary secretion and psychological status in UC patients.
- To explore the relationship between salivary markers and ANS function in UC.
Main Methods:
- Compared 35 UC patients with 32 healthy controls.
- Measured salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels and salivary flow rate (SFR) before and after citric acid stimulation.
- Assessed anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Main Results:
- UC patients exhibited significantly higher prevalence of anxiety and depression compared to controls.
- Elevated basal and stimulated sAA levels were observed in UC patients.
- No significant differences in SFR or AMY1 gene copy number were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- UC patients demonstrate sympathetic nervous system overactivity.
- Parasympathetic nervous system activity appears normal in UC patients.
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