SALIVARY FLOW-RATE AND ACUTE-PHASE PROTEINS IN BELLS-PALSY

The flow rate of extra-parotid and parotid saliva was compared in patients with Bell's palsy and in healthy volunteers. Samples were analysed for the concentration of total protein and seven acute-phase proteins. There was no difference between younger and older patients with regard to oral status, salivary flow rate, total protein or acute-phase proteins, in either extra-parotid or parotid saliva. No significant difference in flow rate for both extra-parotid and parotid saliva was found in the Bell's palsy patients in comparison with the controls. In the patients the salivary flow rate from the parotid gland on the paralysed side was slightly lower than on the healthy side, but not to a significant extent. The quantity of total protein was lower in the extra-parotid saliva in the patient group; there were no differences between the two groups with regard to parotid saliva. We were able to demonstrate small amounts of various acute-phase proteins in the control group. In the patients we found higher quantities per minute of acute-phase proteins in both extra-parotid saliva and parotid saliva than in the controls. In extra-parotid saliva there were significant differences in haptoglobulin, alpha2-macroglobulin, C3-complement factor and ceruloplasmin; in parotid saliva the differences in haptoglobulin and ceruloplasmin were significant. However, there was a large inter individual variation in both groups studied. In the patient group no significant difference in the secretion of acute-phase proteins from the parotid gland could be demonstrated between the paralysed side and the healthy side. Our findings suggest that Bell's palsy may be due to a local but not to a generalized infection.