 |
|
Licking your wounds: Scientists isolate compound in human saliva that speeds wound healing
July 24, 2008New research in the FASEB Journal raises expectorations for people with chronic wounds
A report by scientists from The Netherlands published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) identifies a compound in human saliva that greatly speeds wound healing. This research may offer hope to people suffering from chronic wounds related to diabetes and other disorders, as well as traumatic injuries and burns. In addition, because the compounds can be mass produced, they have the potential to become as common as antibiotic creams and rubbing alcohol.
"We hope our finding is ultimately beneficial for people who suffer from non-healing wounds, such as foot ulcers and diabetic ulcers, as well as for treatment of trauma-induced wounds like burns," said Menno Oudhoff, first author of the report.
Specifically, scientists found that histatin, a small protein in saliva previously only believed to kill bacteria was responsible for the healing. To come to this conclusion, the researchers used epithelial cells that line the inner cheek, and cultured in dishes until the surfaces were completely covered with cells. Then they made an artificial wound in the cell layer in each dish, by scratching a small piece of the cells away. In one dish, cells were bathed in an isotonic fluid without any additions. In the other dish, cells were bathed in human saliva. After 16 hours the scientists noticed that the saliva treated "wound" was almost completely closed. In the dish with the untreated "wound," a substantial part of the "wound" was still open. This proved that human saliva contains a factor which accelerates wound closure of oral cells. Because saliva is a complex liquid with many components, the next step was to identify which component was responsible for wound healing. Using various techniques the researchers split the saliva into its individual components, tested each in their wound model, and finally determined that histatin was responsible.
"This study not only answers the biological question of why animals lick their wounds," said Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "it also explains why wounds in the mouth, like those of a tooth extraction, heal much faster than comparable wounds of the skin and bone. It also directs us to begin looking at saliva as a source for new drugs."
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Specifically, scientists found that histatin, a small protein in saliva previously only believed to kill bacteria was responsible for the healing. To come to this conclusion, the researchers used epithelial cells that line the inner cheek, and cultured in dishes until the surfaces were completely covered with cells. Then they made an artificial wound in the cell layer in each dish, by scratching a small piece of the cells away. In one dish, cells were bathed in an isotonic fluid without any additions. In the other dish, cells were bathed in human saliva. After 16 hours the scientists noticed that the saliva treated "wound" was almost completely closed. In the dish with the untreated "wound," a substantial part of the "wound" was still open. This proved that human saliva contains a factor which accelerates wound closure of oral cells. Because saliva is a complex liquid with many components, the next step was to identify which component was responsible for wound healing. Using various techniques the researchers split the saliva into its individual components, tested each in their wound model, and finally determined that histatin was responsible.
"This study not only answers the biological question of why animals lick their wounds," said Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "it also explains why wounds in the mouth, like those of a tooth extraction, heal much faster than comparable wounds of the skin and bone. It also directs us to begin looking at saliva as a source for new drugs."
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Saliva Current Events and Saliva News RSSMeasuring and modeling blood flow in malaria
When people have malaria, they are infected with Plasmodium parasites, which enter the body from the saliva of a mosquito, infect cells in the liver, and then spread to red blood cells.
On the Trail of a Vaccine for Lyme Disease: Yale Researchers Target Tick Saliva
A protein found in the saliva of ticks helps protect mice from developing Lyme disease, Yale researchers have discovered. The findings, published in the November 19 issue of Cell Host & Microbe, may spur development of a new vaccine against infection from Lyme disease, which is spread through tick bites.
Toward explaining why hepatitis B hits men harder than women
Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women.
Saliva proteins change as women age
In a step toward using human saliva to tell whether those stiff joints, memory lapses, and other telltale signs of aging are normal or red flags for disease, scientists are describing how the protein content of women's saliva change with advancing age.
Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke
Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.
Dartmouth researchers get personal with genetics
Two recent studies by Dartmouth researchers use individual genetic data to reveal the powers and limits of our current understanding of how the genome influences human health and what genes can reveal about the ancestry of the people of New Hampshire.
Anti-smoking law helps waiters to quit smoking
Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology have studied the impact of the law banning smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants on those working in these places.
Vet says owners should exercise with their dogs based on specific needs to prevent obesity
People and their dogs both need physical activity to fight obesity, and there are many exercises that owner and pet can do together that can improve their health and their relationship, according to a Kansas State University expert.
MicroRNA in human saliva may help diagnose oral cancer
Researchers continue to add to the diagnostic alphabet of saliva by identifying the presence of at least 50 microRNAs that could aid in the detection of oral cancer, according to a report in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
University of Maryland researchers identify gene variant linked to effectiveness of plavix
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a common gene variant carried by as many as a third of the general population that is believed to play a major role in determining why people do not respond to a popular anti-clotting medication, Plavix.
More Saliva Current Events and Saliva News Articles
 |
Cinco Diablo by Saliva Multi-platinum Island Records' five-man band Saliva has completed its aptly-titled fifth album, CINCO DIABLO, set to arrive in the physical and digital marketplace on December 16th - the ultimate alt-metal post-grunge must-have CD this twisted holiday season! The new album's first single pick, "Family Reunion," was #1 Most Added at Active Rock and Modern Rock radio and is already on over 75 stations at both formats. In advance support of CINCO DIABLO, Memphis favorites Saliva continue their never-ending headlining tour schedule with Jet Black Stare, Drowning Pool, and Tantric through Nov. 11th (Veteran's Day) in Texas. Saliva will play a halftime NBA homecoming gig at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Halloween, when the Grizzlies host the Magic. CINCO DIABLO is the long-awaited... |
 |
Every Six Seconds by Saliva Saliva's heavy rock--with a dash of rap--is at once current and timeless, unlike many of the bands spawned by Korn and Limp Bizkit. This Memphis-bred bunch's powerful, diverse debut features a dozen lyrically and musically focused tracks from a band clearly possessed of strong chops and smart heads. Rangy singer Josey Scott's passionate delivery works well when matched with the chunky riffing of "Musta Been Wrong," the soaring, layered song's intensity balanced by shredding guitar. Every Six Seconds has many such moments, with producer Bob Marlette's taut, techno-inflected touch lending "Lackluster" and "Faultline" a NIN vibe. "Hollywood" is a classic midtempo take on Tinseltown, while the CD's first single, "Your Disease," is simply a hit. "My Goodbyes," the ideal album closer, has a... |
 |
Back Into Your System by Saliva Saliva frontman Josey Scott unintentionally elevated his band above countless nü metal clones by teaming up with Nickelback's Chad Kroeger to write and record the song "Hero" for the Spider-Man soundtrack. The tang of mainstream success was exactly what the Memphis, Tennessee, group needed to break away from the pack on Back into Your System. This follow-up to its major-label debut, Every Six Seconds, ups the heavy atmospherics and dyspepsia. "Always" takes on the touchy subject of domestic violence with unblinking force as Scott rips into the verses "I've seen the blood all over your hands / Does it make you feel more like a man?," while "Raise Up" mixes testosterone-heavy rapping with raging guitars in the most menacing way possible, and Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx contributes the... |
 |
Blood Stained Love Story by Saliva For gold-selling Memphis turbo-rockers Saliva, the past couple years of their decade-long career have brought an ocean swell of change. One or more members have had children, stopped drinking, ended longterm relationships, gotten married and/or left the group, and each instance has been accompanied by a new sense of clarity.
As a result, Saliva's fifth album Blood Stained Love Story resounds with a previously untapped level of passion, energy, sincerity and diversity, not to mention an undeniable melodicism that will endear the band to anyone that feels any sort of connection between reality and music.
"I think we've all been through a blood stained love story of one type or another," says frontman Josey Scott. "It's kind of a metaphor for how things can be a... |
 |
Survival of the Sickest by Saliva |
 |
Saliva by Saliva 1997 debut album for Saliva whose rise to the top was strengthened in 2000 by their signing to Island Records, the inclusion of the Grammy nominated single 'Your Disease' on the soundtrack for the hit movie Dracula 2000 and the release of their major label debut Every Six Seconds further fueled the fire. Rockingchair Records. 2003 reissue. |
 |
Click Click Boom Saliva (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Saliva by Saliva |
 |
Rest in Pieces/Bleed for Me by Saliva |
 |
Back Into Your System by Saliva |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |