EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF PEPSIN ON SALIVARY PEPTIDOME: INSIGHTS FROM A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT PROTEOMIC PROFILING STUDY USING MALDI-ToF MASS SPECTROMETRY

Pepsin, a component of gastric refluxate, has been investigated as a potential salivary biomarker for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), although its diagnostic accuracy remains uncertain. This proof-of-concept study aimed to characterize the effects of pepsin on the human salivary peptidome using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry.…