title: Increased salivary immunoglobulin A and reduced α-amylase activity in whole saliva from spastic cerebral palsy individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) together with innate defenses such as α-amylase, provides the 'first line of defense' against pathogens present at mucosal surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate salivary α-amylase and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in whole saliva of spastic cerebral palsy (CP) individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole saliva was collected from 22 CP and 24 sibling volunteers with no neurological damage control groups (CG) (aged 7-14 years). The salivary flow rate, total protein and SIgA concentrations, and α-amylase activity were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CP group presented higher salivary flow rate (35%) and lower total protein concentration (18%) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had higher absolute (68%, μg SIgA/ml) and relative (55%, μg SIgA/mg prot and 108%, μg SIgA/min) concentrations of IgA compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had lower relative α-amylase activity (15% mg malt/mg prot and 33%, mg malt/min) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concluded that CP individuals presented alterations in the profile of salivary proteins involved in the defense system of the oral cavity.
authors: Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil. mariana.leite@cruzeirodosul.edu.br
authors: Mariana F
authors: MF
authors: Leite
authors: Lauren Cardoso Alves
authors: LC
authors: Aznar
authors: Maria Cristina D
authors: MC
authors: Ferreira
authors: Renata O
authors: RO
authors: Guaré
authors: Maria Teresa B
authors: MT
authors: Santos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000516:alpha-Amylases
keywords: cerebral palsy; salivary immunoglobulin A; α-amylase activity