Mammal's saliva contains a variety of electrolytes and proteins. They carry out an important role in the digestion process, in the antibacterial and antiviral activity, in lubrication and maintenance of oral general health status. It may also contain several enzymes according to dietary habits and general wellness. Sialochemistry is a valid alternative to the haematochemical analysis for the evaluation of animal health and nutritional status. At present, very little knowledge is available on health status and pathology of crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) and no data are yet available on salivary enzymes. Between 2018 and 2020, a preliminary investigation of enzymatic activity on saliva samples was carried out from captured porcupines. In crested porcupine saliva, enzymatic activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin, N-Aminopeptidase, amylase, lignin peroxidise, cellulase and chitinase were recorded. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and alkaline phosphatase activity was also detected. The superoxide dismutase activity resulted higher (3.13 SD 3.58 U/mg proteins) than those of catalase (130.80 SD 110.65 mU/mg proteins) and glutathione S-transferase (20.21 SD 16.62 mM/mg proteins). Alkaline phosphatase activity resulted lower (5.91 SD 6.12 mU/mg proteins) than acidic phosphatase (19.00 SD 16.16 U/mg proteins) with the highest values of saliva alkaline phosphatases recorded in young individuals. These preliminary data bring new knowledge on crested porcupine saliva enzymes and may provide a useful tool for further investigation on the adaptive response of crested porcupine to different environmental condition and diet. Additional investigation concerning a possible alternative use of saliva enzymes as indicator of health and nutritional status of this rodent are desirable.

中文翻译：

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Hystrix cristata L., 1758唾液中酶活性的初步研究

哺乳动物的唾液含有多种电解质和蛋白质。它们在消化过程、抗菌和抗病毒活性、润滑和维持口腔一般健康状态中发挥重要作用。根据饮食习惯和一般健康状况，它还可能含有几种酶。唾液化学是评估动物健康和营养状况的血液化学分析的有效替代方法。目前，关于冠豪猪（ Hystrix cristata）的健康状况和病理学方面的知识很少。)，目前还没有关于唾液酶的数据。2018 年至 2020 年间，对捕获的豪猪唾液样品的酶活性进行了初步调查。在豪猪唾液中，记录了胰蛋白酶、胰凝乳蛋白酶、N-氨基肽酶、淀粉酶、木质素过氧化物酶、纤维素酶和几丁质酶的酶活性。还检测到超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶和碱性磷酸酶活性。超氧化物歧化酶活性（3.13 SD 3.58 U/mg 蛋白质）高于过氧化氢酶（130.80 SD 110.65 mU/mg 蛋白质）和谷胱甘肽 S-转移酶（20.21 SD 16.62 mM/mg 蛋白质）。碱性磷酸酶活性（5.91 SD 6.12 mU/mg 蛋白质）低于酸性磷酸酶（19.00 SD 16.00）。16 U/mg 蛋白质）在年轻人中记录的唾液碱性磷酸酶值最高。这些初步数据带来了对豪猪唾液酶的新认识，可能为进一步研究豪猪对不同环境条件和饮食的适应性反应提供有用的工具。需要进一步调查可能替代使用唾液酶作为这种啮齿动物健康和营养状况的指标。