SALIVARY LEVELS OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A IN TRIATHLETES

We investigated whether the physical exercise of an olympic distance t riathlon affected the salivary IgA excretion of triathletes, as a biom arker for mucosal immune defence. 42 triathletes participated in the s tudy. It was found that the salivary flow rate was decreased significa ntly after the race, thereby resulting in a significant reduction of t he total salivary IgA output. The salivary IgA concentration (mg IgA/m l) did not differ, but expressed as total salivary protein, a signific ant reduction was observed. This was on the account of the salivary pr otein concentration (mg protein/ml), which was significantly increased . In contrast to the IgA secretion, the salivary amylase activity was increased significantly after the race. Therefore, our data suggest th at the exercise of a triathlon may decrease the level of IgA-mediated immune protection at the mucosal surface. As triathletes may during th e race be exposed to micro-organisms present in the swimming water, a decreased IgA-mediated immunity during the race may pose triathletes a t an increased risk of infections.