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Abstract
Studies in children have shown that the severity of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is related to the extent of reduction of stimulated salivary secretion rate.9 PEM also results in a decrease in calcium, chloride and secretion of protein of stimulated saliva and a reduction in immunologic and agglutinating defense factors of unstimulated saliva. Because an increased severity of PEM is accompanied by a decrease in salivary protein concentration and arginase activity, protein content of saliva and salivary arginase activity in early stages of the disease might be used as an index of PEM.10 Few studies have evaluated the effects of protein deficiency on salivary gland function in human adults. [...]saliva has an important role in ensuring adequate nutrition and in protecting from oral diseases.