Effect of iron-deficiency anaemia on saliva secretion rate and composition in the rat

Iron-deficiency anaemia in man may be associated with dry mouth symptoms, such as atrophic glossitis and 'burning mouth', and a low serum iron concentration or iron-deficiency anaemia with aphthous stomatitis or non-ulcerative conditions of the oral mucosa. This study was made on one group of growing rats and another group of adult rats. The iron-deprived rats in both groups gained less weight than control rats. Saliva secretion rate was significantly lower in growing, but not in adult, iron-deprived rats than in the corresponding control groups. The activity of salivary peroxidase was significantly lower in both growing and adult rats with iron-deficiency anaemia than in their control groups. The conclusion is that iron-deficiency anaemia in the rat impairs the protection provided by the salivary peroxidase system, e.g. to hydrogen peroxide, and that saliva secretion rate may be reduced.