Histochemical study of labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome

Human labial salivary gland biopsies of patients presenting connective tissue diseases associated with Sjögren's syndrome were submitted to a polysaccharide histochemistry study. The normal acinar secretion is an association of neutral polysaccharides with a sulphosialomucin. In Sjögren's syndrome, there is a great reduction in the secretory activity of the acinar cells, but no qualitative change was observed. The pathogenesis of this decreased production and its importance regarding the clinical manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome are discussed.