Correlation Between the Protease Activities and the Number of Epithelial Cells in Human Saliva

Abstract
Whole saliva from patients with gingivitis or marginal periodontitis was analyzed for the number of epithelial cells and leukocytes and protease activities. Significant correlations were observed between protease activities and the number of epithelial cells, but not of leukocytes. Oral prophylaxis evidently reduced the numbers of epithelial cells, leukocytes and protease activities in whole saliva.