Effect of radiotherapy on salivary inorganic electrolytes concentrations

Radiotherapy have direct effect on the head and neck tumors and indirect harmful effect on the adjacent salivary glands which reflects on salivary secretion and composition. This study was performed on 20 old patients and 10 volunteers [control group 1]. The patients divided into two groups: Prospective [group 2] and retrospective [group 3]. The concentrations of the salivary inorganic electrolytes were measured. The results revealed that the level of sodium ion is the only salivary electrolytes that elevate in group 2. The remaining salivary electrolytes [K, Mg and Ca] concentrations were nearly similar to that of control group