STUDIES ON SALIVARY PEROXIDATIC ACTIVITY

¹ Biochemistry Laboratory, Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children, Boston, Mass.

1. A test for peroxidase activity toward guaiacol has been adapted for use with saliva

2. The pH relationship of the salivary peroxidase activity toward guaiacol has been determined and other biochemical aspects investigated.

3. Salivary "tryptophane" levels are markedly decreased upon hydrogen peroxide introduction into the supernatant of centrifuged saliva.

4. The effective salivary peroxidase activity toward guaiacol of two series of children has been investigated by this test: Series A No. = 290 Mean 15.87 see. Sigma = ±7.50 sec. Series B No. = 293 Mean 16.25 see. Sigma = ±7.53 sec.

5. Individual children were classified according to their dental caries activity in the past 6 months. The corresponding salivary peroxidase activities were grouped and compared. The group with the least dental decay activity had salivary peroxidase levels significantly different from the group with the most dental decay activity.

6. A relationship between the salivary peroxidase activity and the time of the amyloclastic phase of starch breakdown was observed.

7. With respect to peroxidatic activity, sibling pairs appear to be more closely related to each other than to their group as a whole.

8. Salivary peroxidase has been discussed with respect to some aspects of its possible interrelationship with carbohydrate metabolism and other areas of physiologic significance.