Salivary immunoglobulin A levels of persons who have stopped smoking.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine salivary immunoglobulin A levels in people who stopped smoking for at least 2 weeks. Salivary immunoglobulin A is a primary antibody at mucosal surfaces.


METHODS
Salivary immunoglobulin A levels of each of 20 subjects were determined on 3 occasions: first, while the subject was still smoking; second, 7 days after cessation of smoking; third, on the 14th day after cessation. Two control groups (with 20 people in each group) were also used: the members of the first had never smoked, and the members of the second were current smokers. Results were analyzed through use of a repeated-measures analysis of variance and the t test.


RESULTS
Seven days after cessation of the smoking habit, a transient decrease in salivary immunoglobulin A levels was observed. However, within 14 days the levels returned to normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Salivary immunoglobulin A levels transiently decrease in people who have stopped smoking for 7 days, but they recover to normal values within 2 weeks after cessation of the habit.
Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
A G
AG
Griesel
P J
PJ
Germishuys
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000276:immunology; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory