Physiological Significance of Phospholipid in Human Saliva

Abstract

Unstimulated saliva was collected from 207 persons, with special precautions to secure normal post-absorptive samples, uncontaminated by food particles or other debris. Phospholipid phosphorus was detd. by an alcohol-ether extraction method (described). Values ranged from 0.04-1.79 mg./100 ml. Normal individuals gave low values (mean 0.119 [plus or minus] 0.011), whereas abnormal individuals with various low grade involvements gave higher values (mean 0.246 [plus or minus] 0.015). It is concluded that this test is of diagnostic value in early deviations from health.