Sialochemistry in mucosal lesions of the tongue: electrolytes and total protein.

A total of 39 patients with tongue diseases and 17 controls were subjected to chemical analysis of saliva to determine whether tongue lesions are correlated with the composition of the saliva. The salivary flow rate, total protein, phosphate and electrolyte content (Na, K, Ca) were measured in unstimulated and stimulated saliva. The results indicate that disturbed salivary secretion could be revealed in patients with filiform atrophy and those with hairy tongue. The hormonal imbalance might be a factor in the etiology of filiform atrophy and geographic tongue. No significant difference between the sialochemistry of patients with fissured tongue and controls was found.