Determination of defensin HNP-1, HNP-2, and HNP-3 in human saliva by using LC/MS.

The mass spectral profiling of saliva by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in relation to particular types of pain is being examined. The aim is to develop a profile that could be useful for the assessment of patients and their treatment programs, as well as identifying unknown compounds observed in saliva. Defensin human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) and defensin HNP-2 were identified and confirmed, whereas defensin HNP-3 was tentatively identified. Linear calibration range of defensin HNP-1 and HNP-2 was 0.25 to 3 microg/ml with R(2) values of > 0.99 for both. The detection limit for defensin HNP-1 and HNP-2 was estimated at 0.1 microg/ml. The healthy subjects surveyed in this study had readily measurable salivary concentrations of defensin HNP-1 (8.6 +/- SD 8.0 microg/ml) and defensin HNP-2 (5.6 +/- SD 5.2 microg/ml).