title: Salivary antimicrobial peptides (LL-37 and alpha-defensins HNP1-3), antimicrobial and IgA responses to prolonged exercise.
abstract: There are many factors in mucosal secretions that contribute to innate immunity and the 'first line of defence' at mucosal surfaces. Few studies, however, have investigated the effects of exercise on many of these 'defence' factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the acute effects of prolonged exercise on salivary levels of selected antimicrobial peptides (AMP) that have not yet been studied in response to exercise (HNP1-3 and LL-37) in addition to immunoglobulin A (IgA). A secondary objective was to assess the effects of exercise on saliva antibacterial capacity. Twelve active men exercised on a cycle ergometer for 2.5 h at approximately 60% of maximal oxygen uptake. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained before and after exercise. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in salivary IgA:osmolality ratio, following exercise, but IgA concentration and secretion rate were unaltered. Salivary HNP1-3 and LL-37 concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), concentration:osmolality ratios (P < 0.01) and secretion rates (P < 0.01) all increased following exercise. Salivary antibacterial capacity (against E. coli) did not change. The increased concentration of AMPs in saliva may confer some benefit to the 'first line of defence' and could result from synergistic compensation within the mucosal immune system and/or airway inflammation and epithelial damage. Further study is required to determine the significance of such changes on the overall 'defence' capacity of saliva and how this influences the overall risk for infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, Carwyn James Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3FD, UK. gdd@aber.ac.uk
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allgrove
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gleeson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001642:Bicycling; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D023084:alpha-Defensins; C406413:human neutrophil peptide 1; C406416:human neutrophil peptide 2; C406427:human neutrophil peptide 3; D054804:Cathelicidins