Objective-To investigate eicosanoid concentrations in the saliva of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Methods-Whole mixed saliva of 36 subjects was assayed for eicosanoid concentrations using a radioimmunoassay. Patients with primary SS having positive lip biopsy served as the study group; their results were compared with data from patients with dry mouth and negative lip biopsy (dry mouth group), and with a group of normal healthy controls. Results-Concentrations of thromboxane B2 were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in 18 patients with primary SS compared with 10 patients with dry mouth and eight healthy normal controls (1-95 (SD 0-51) ng/ ml saliva compared with 0 52 (0-1) ng/ml and 0.3 (0.1) ng/ml, respectively). Similarly, prostaglandin E2 concentrations were also significantly increased (p < 0.01) in 11 patients with primary SS compared with five patients with dry mouth and eight normal controls (3.75 (0.82) ng/ml saliva compared with 0-32 (0.1) ng/ml and 0*41 (0-1) ngml, respectively). Conclusion-Salivary concentrations of eicosanoids are significantly increased in patients with primary SS, and this may prove helpful in the diagnosis of this disease.

4 healthy volunteers received commercial 20% pure CCK-33 in 4 consecutive doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 IDU/kg/h. Blood samples were assayed for pancreatic polypeptide (PP) by radioimmunoassay. Plasma PP concentrations increased stepwise from a basal level of 67 ± 15 pmol/l to a maximum of 198 ± 46 pmol/l (p < 0.05). In 4 mongrel dogs with Thomas cannulas, the same doses of 99% pure CCK-33 were successively infused. Plasma PP concentrations rose stepwise with each dose from 44 ± 7 to 259 ± 43 pmol/l (p < 0.02). This rise significantly correlated with pancreatic protein secretion (p < 0.01). It is concluded that intravenous CCK-33 induces the release of PP in man and in dog, in a dose-dependent manner.