The Effect of Flow Rate on the Ionized Calcium Concentration of Human Parotid Saliva

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Abstract
The ionized calcium concentration of parotid saliva collected at six preselected flow rates ranging from 0.13 to 2.00 ml/min was determined using an ionselective electrode. Total calcium, protein, pH value and ionic strength were also measured. Three experiments were carried out on each of 5 subjects. Increases of total calcium from 0.70 to 1.17mmol/l and ionized calcium from 0.31 to 0.50 mmol/l were noted. Concentrations of ionized calcium and total calcium were significantly correlated (r = 0.83), and the ratio ionized calcium/total calcium decreased from 0.48 to 0.43 in the flow rate range 0.13–2.00 ml/min. This ratio was affected by the pH value and found to be independent of the flow rate at pH 5.7. The protein concentration, which increased with flow rate, was significantly correlated to the calcium concentration.