[Pilot study of the nitrate, nitrite and bacterial content of human saliva as a function of environmental factors].

In a random sample comprising 160 test persons nitrate (12.4 +/- 7.6 mg/l) and nitrite (5.7 +/- 4.0 mg/l) concentrations as well as bacteria counts in saliva were determined. No dependence of the values from age and sex could be detected, whereas smokers have lower concentrations of both nitrate and nitrite. Persons suffering from inflammatory diseases did not have enhanced nitrate concentrations. Role of bacteria for nitrite production is confirmed. Patients, regularly taking nitro-remedies, showed enhanced NO3--(25.8 mg/l) and NO2--(8.4 mg/l)-values.