Comparisons of Various Salivary Parameters in Smokers Before and After the Use of a Nicotine-containing Chewing Gum

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Abstract
This study was designed to compare various salivary parameters between smokers and non-smokers and to determine the influence of a nicotine-containing chewing gum (used to aid in quit-smoking efforts) upon these same parameters. At the baseline examination, subjects were assigned to one of three groups: non-smokers who did not utilize any gum, smokers provided a nicotine-containing gum, and smokers provided a placebo gum. Saliva was collected from all subjects and analyzed for acidogenicity and buffer pH as well as for levels of thiocyanate, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory IgA. After 15 weeks of gum usage, saliva was again collected from each subject and the identical analyses performed. Significant differences were observed between smokers and non-smokers with regard to three parameters: The saliva of smokers contained greater concentrations of thiocyanate and lower concentrations of lactoferrin, at the baseline examination and after the 15-week test period. In addition, the CO content of alveolar air was higher in smokers at both examination periods. In contrast, the use of the nicotine gum per se had no effect on any of the test parameters.