Changes in Salivary Electrolytes Following

has been shown to influence the transport of sodi¬ um and potassium across various membranes in animal tissues. The hormone promotes reabsorption of sodium and the secretion of potas¬ sium ions by the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney.1 Increased sodium reabsorption by intestinal mucosa2 and sweat glands:i in re¬ sponse to mineralocorticoid adminis¬ tration has been demonstrated in man. The sodium-potassium ratio in saliva has been shown to vary in¬ versely with the level of adrenocortical salt-retaining activity; the highest values occur in untreated Addison's disease 4 and the lowest in salt deprivation.5 Infused aldosterone has been shown to affect parotid flow rates in animals.0 Sodium-potassium ratios in whole sauva have been suggested by Lauler et al7 as a diagnostic aid to distinguish cases of aldosteronism among hypertensive patients. The present study was un¬ dertaken to determine the changes which occur in electrolyte composition of whole, parotid, and submaxillary saliva in patients before and after they undergo surgical treatment of primary aldosteronism. Methods