Assessment of Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels in Elite University Athletes in Japan: Findings From a Cross Sectional Study Design

Abstract

BackgroundHigh-intensity exercise affects the level of salivary nitric oxide (NO) with an impact on oxidative stress such as a reactive nitrogen-oxide species. However, in athletes with high-intensity training, the relationship between salivary NO levels and oxidative stress is yet to be clear. Additionally, the association of salivary NO levels and the common health disorders of athletes is unknown. Thus, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to clarify the relationship between salivary NO levels and oxidative stress, and the health/medical disorders existing in elite class university athletes.MethodsIn 250 athletes (males, 151 and females, 99) from undergraduate levels of Japanese University, we investigated the relationship between levels of salivary NO and oxidative stress markers: derived reactive oxygen species (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and also examined that whether salivary NO levels are associated with diseases.ResultsThere were no significant association between the levels of salivary NO and oxidative stress markers (such as d-ROM and BAP). From the questionnaire, asthma was the most prevalent as evident from medical history of the athletes. Additionally, the salivary NO levels were higher (520 ± 43 µmol/L vs. 375 ± 13 µmol/L, P < 0.05) in the asthma group (n = 9) than in the non-asthma group (n = 241). We determined the optimal cut-off value (P = 0.019) of the salivary NO levels for asthma was 425 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 61.8% (area under the curve (AUC), 0.73).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the high levels of salivary NO in trained university athletes in Japan may potentially predict asthma. And this salivary NO level is not associated with markers of oxidative stress and existing diseases in athletes studied here.

Effect of pre-season training camp on oral immune functions in elite collegiate volleyball players

“…Finally, it is necessary to examine the validity of the method for quantifying s-NO in future studies. Although there are previous studies that determined s-NO by the same sample preservation method as the present study, their validity has not been examined in detail 10,15,31) . In the determination of s-NO, it should be examined whether the amount of NO can be accurately measured in the frozen preservation samples.…”

“…s-SIgA is reported to be useful as a predictive biomarker that reflects URTI during highintensity training in many types of sports 8,9) . In contrast, salivary nitric oxide (s-NO) may reflect lower-respiratory tract inflammatory conditions such as asthma 10) . It is suggested that NO and nitrite formed in the oral cavity, such as s-NO, influence the oxidative stress as a reactive ni-trogen oxide species [11][12][13] .…”

The Intake of Kiwifruits Improve the Potential Antioxidant Capacity in Male Middle- and Long-Distance Runners Routinely Exposed to Oxidative Stress in Japan

“…The d-ROMs values were 264 ± 34 U.CARR, BAP values were 2036 ± 145 µmol/L, BAP/d-ROMs ratio were 7.9 ± 1.2 in Study 1′ all subjects. In Sone’s study, Japanese elite male university athletes had a d-ROMs value of 271 ± 42 U.CARR, BAP value of 2154 ± 143 µmol/L and BAP/d-ROMs ratio of 8.13 ± 1.27 [ 25 ]. The BAP/d-ROMs ratio was slightly lower in our study subjects.…”

“…If we evaluate their dietary intake and supplement intake, measure actual kiwifruit ingested, vitamin C and vitamin E in blood, we can discuss vitamin C and vitamin E more clearly. Moreover, women were reported to have higher d-ROMs than men did [ 25 , 30 ]. Thus, women may produce different results than those of men.…”

Effects of all‐out sprint interval training under hyperoxia on exercise performance

“…Serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d‐ROMs), which are markers to evaluate hydroperoxide levels (oxidative stress), and serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP), which indicates antioxidant capacity, were measured using a FREE Carrio Duo (Wismerll Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The BAP/d‐ROMs ratio was also measured to evaluate serum oxidant‐antioxidant balance (Sone et al ). Blood lactate concentration was determined using a Biosen S‐Line (EKF‐diagnostic GmbH, Barleben, Germany) from 20 µ L of fingertip capillary blood sample.…”