Concentrations of arachidonic-acid metabolites in human mixed saliva are independent of flow rate.

Three prostaglandins, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGI2 (measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha), serologically active 6-sulphidopeptide-containing leukotrienes and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids were determined by radioimmunoassay of mixed saliva obtained at several flow rates from 8 healthy volunteers. Flow rates ranged from 0.26 +/- 0.02 ml/min when saliva production was unstimulated to 1.18 +/- 0.14 ml/min (values mean +/- SEM) when maximally stimulated. Concentrations of all compounds tested remained independent of changes in mixed-saliva flow rate.