Relationships among salivary immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin and cortisol in basketball players during a basketball season

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the changes and relationships of immune and stress parameters of basketball players during a basketball season. Eight members of National Taichung University basketball team volunteered to participate. Saliva samples were collected at rest and before the start of practice or competition at seven time points during the intense training, competition and recovery period. Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA), cortisol, and lactoferrin were measured during training and competition period and compared with those measured at the fourth recovery week. Relationships among immune and stress parameters were evaluated. Compared with those detected at the fourth recovery week, significant decreases in secretion rates and absolute concentrations of sIgA and lactoferrin were observed at times of intense training and competition. In addition, significant increases in secretion rates and absolute concentrations of salivary cortisol were observed during intense training and competition period and the first week of recovery. Moreover, a significant inverse correlation (r = -0.28; P < 0.05) that existed between secretion rates of sIgA and cortisol as well as a positive correlation (r = 0.32; P < 0.05) that existed between secretion rates of sIgA and lactoferrin was measured. Our results demonstrated that the secreted cortisol was induced and the mucosal immunity of the participants was suppressed during the basketball season. The inverse correlation existed between secretion rates of sIgA and cortisol may indicate a possible role of cortisol in the strenuous exercise-induced immunosuppression. Our results also suggest that a delicate balance may exist between mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses.

Circadian variation of salivary immunoglobin A, alpha-amylase activity and mood in response to repeated double-poling sprints in hypoxia

“…Mood remained reduced with RSH only. Recent evidence has shown that reduced levels of sIgA and sAA activity indicate attenuated mucosal immune function, especially during periods of intensified training loads and hypoxia (He et al 2010;Li et al 2012;Papacosta and Nassis 2011;Tiollier et al 2005). Therefore, we conclude that mucosal immune function following one session of repeated double-poling sprints in hypoxia or normoxia are similar and, furthermore, that 6 sessions of RSH reduced mood with no signs of impaired mucosal immune function.…”

“…Even without exposure to hypoxia, prolonged highintensity training attenuates sIgA (He et al 2010;Li et al 2012) and enhances the incidence of URTI (Fahlman and Engels 2005;Gleeson et al 1999;Mortatti et al 2012). Interestingly, after a period of high-intensity training, with reduced training load sIgA increases to levels above basal values, thereby substantially lowering the incidence of URTI (Moreira et al 2014).…”

“…Since both high-altitude (Mazzeo 2005;Tiollier et al 2005) and high-intensity training attenuate mucosal immune function (He et al 2010;Li et al 2012;Mortatti et al 2012), it appears plausible that a period of high-intensity training in hypoxia may impair mucosal immune function and mood to a greater extent than the same training in normoxia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the circadian variation of two biomarkers of mucosal immune function, sIgA and sAA activity, along with mood in association with repeated double-poling sprints in hypoxia and normoxia.…”

Effects of Official Basketball Competition on the Levels of Cortisol and Salivary Immunoglobulin (A) among female children

“…Kutch et al measured the amount of IgA response to an intense rugby competition among the male adults and observed no considerable change in IgA levels before and after the competition [35]. Hi et al examined the salivary IgA and cortisol levels among the basketball players in a racing season and showed a reverse correlation between salivary cortisol and mucosal immunity of the players, and increase of salivary cortisol level as well as reduction in salivary IgA concentration [36]. These contradictory findings depend on various factors including expression of salivary immunoglobulin A, individual nutrition and exercise and the way exercises are conducted.…”

Realising the Potential of Urine and Saliva as Diagnostic Tools in Sport and Exercise Medicine

“…Lactoferrin and lysozyme, antimicrobial compounds found in saliva secretions [187,188], have been used to monitor longitudinal changes in elite weightlifters [189] and basketball players [190], measured in endurance exercise in which hydration affects secretion [191], and have been shown to increase in response to running at 75 % VO 2max [192]. Intense exercise, however, may reduce their concentration, which may subsequently increase the risk of infection and incidence of URTIs [83].…”