Purpose: The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of HIV infection on the catabolism of glycoconjugates in the oral cavity, by determination of the activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases in mixed saliva.
Method: The specific activities of the following exoglycosidases were tested: N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase (HEX), its isoenzymes A (HEX-A) and B (HEX-B), alpha-mannosidase (MAN), beta-galactosidase (GAL) and alpha-fucosidase (FUC).
Result: A significant increase of activity of HEX-A, GAL and FUC, and a significant decrease of the activity of HEX-B was found, but no significant changes in the HEX and MAN activity we noted.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that following HIV infection, there is probably an increased rate of catabolism of glycoconjugates in saliva resulting from changes in the proportions of the activity of isoenzymes A and B of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase, beta-galactosidase and alpha-fucosidase. An increase of HEXA activity can implicate the beginning of neoplastic changes developing in the oral cavity.