Inflammation and cardiovascular disease are associated with elevated serum levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and homocysteine. The presence of both molecules in saliva provides an opportunity for development of non-invasive assessments of disease risk. However, salivary CRP and homocysteine reference ranges and their correlation with serum levels are unknown. This study investigated if CRP and homocysteine could be routinely detected in the saliva of healthy adults and the relationship between salivary and blood levels. CRP and homocysteine concentrations were determined using ELISA and enzymatic assays respectively. Homocysteine was detected in only two saliva samples (n = 55). CRP was measurable in all saliva samples (range: 0.05 to 64.3 μg/L; median = 1.2 μg/L) and plasma samples (range: 0.14 to 31.1 mg/L; median = 2.0 mg/L). Regression analysis demonstrated no relationship between CRP concentration in saliva and plasma (R2 = 0.001). Generalized linear models including variables such as saliva flow rate and time since eating or drinking also did not pass lack of fit testing. Therefore, a relationship between CRP concentration in saliva and blood could not be established in this group of subjects. More sensitive detection methods are needed to determine if a correlation between salivary and serum homocysteine levels exists.

C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) is found at elevated levels in the serum of patients with inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that CRP can also be detected in saliva and its use as a non‐invasive biomarker of myocardial infarction has been proposed. However, the relationship between CRP levels in saliva and blood has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine if salivary levels of CRP correlate to blood levels in healthy adults. After IRB approval, saliva and blood samples were collected from 69 medical students. All samples were tested for CRP levels using ELISA assays. Salivary CRP concentration ranged from 0.05 to 64.3 ng/mL (median = 1.2 ng/mL). Plasma CRP concentration ranged from 0.14 to 31.1 μg/mL (median = 2.0 μg/mL). Generalized linear modeling was used to investigate the relationship between salivary and plasma CRP levels. None of the models passed lack of fit testing even when variables such as salivary flow rate and time since eating were included. Therefore, a relationship between CRP concentration in saliva and blood could not be established in this group of subjects. This work was funded by a WVSOM intramural grant.

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BackgroundSjogren Syndrome (SS) affects mainly exocrine glands. Ultrasonography (US) demonstrates specificity and sensibility in major salivary glands (SG) evaluation. Recent data confirm US might be used as primary evaluation technique for its ability to show structural alterations of parenchyma [1].ObjectivesTo assess the gray scale (GS) parenchymal inhomogeneity of major SG in patients with established primary and secondary SS and correlate with clinical and biological data.MethodsConsecutive patients with SS were recruited and SG US was performed. Inhomogeneity of glandular parenchyma was quantified binary on each gland. ESSDAI and ESSPRI scores were calculated. Statistics was performed with SPSS.ResultsTwenty one (42.85% primary SS, 90.47% female) consecutive patients were included. Mean age was 53.66+/-12.99 years and disease duration 5.33+/-3.74 years. Antibody SSA/SSB presence was found in 85.7% (18/21). ESSDAI mean was 8.67+/-8.9 (0–29), ESSPRI 10.13+/-5.59 (0–20). There were no differences regarding ESSDAI and ESSPRI in the two groups (primary and secondary SS). Right parotid gland showed alterations in 71.4% patients (77% with primary SS, 66% with secondary SS). Frequently inhomogeneity was found in all major SG (33%, 22% left and right submandibular, 77%, 44.4% left and right parotid glands) in primary SS. Both submandibular glands were symmetrically involved (p<0.02). Duration of disease was negatively correlated to inhomogeneity of right parotid gland (p<0.02).ConclusionsInhomogeneity in major SG in GS US was found in the majority of patients with primary and secondary SS. The symmetrical involvement of submandibular glands was significant. The inhomogeneity appears in the early period of diagnosis. No major differences were found between two groups.References Damjanov N, Milic V, Nieto-González JC, Janta I, Naredo E. Multiobserver Reliability of Ultrasound Assessment of Salivary Glands in Patients with Established Primary Sjögren Syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2016 Oct;43(10):1858–1863. Disclosure of InterestNone declared

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