Effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists on salivary secretory function in individuals of different ages

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of chronic beta-adrenergic antagonists on parotid and submandibular gland secretions in men and women of different ages. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rates, total protein concentrations, and protein secretion rates were compared from medicated (various beta-antagonists, n = 25) and control (n = 60) subjects. Age-related decreases were found in unstimulated parotid saliva flow rate (p = .011) and protein secretion rate (p = .04), unstimulated submandibular salivary flow rate (p = .005) and protein secretion rate (p = .010), and in stimulated submandibular flow rate (p = .002) and protein secretion rate (p = .006). A drug-related effect was observed only in unstimulated parotid salivary flow (p = .033) and protein secretion rate (p = .04) from medicated subjects. Results from this study indicate that age and beta-adrenergic blockade alter salivary glandular function, but their effects differ with the type of salivary secretion examined.