Secretion of salivary immunoglobulin a in relation to age, saliva flow, mood states, secretion of albumin, cortisol, and catecholamines in saliva

Abstract

Salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) is one characteristic humoral factor of the local immune system in the upper respiratory tract. Epidemiological studies emphasize the importance of secretory IgA in the protection from infections of the upper respiratory tract. However, due to high interindividual variability of secretion of salivary IgA, it remains difficult to define normal ranges. This series of studies focused on identification of factors influencing basal secretion of salivary IgA. The results indicate a significant relationship between age and salivary IgA concentration. Children below 7 years have lower salivary IgA concentration than children above 7 years or adults. Furthermore, a significant inverse relationship between saliva flow and salivary IgA concentration was found. Gender, mood states, salivary albumin, salivary catecholamines, and salivary cortisol were not associated with salivary IgA. It can be concluded that for defining normal ranges of salivary IgA, age and saliva flow have to be considered.

Psychosocial Factors and Secretory Immunoglobulin A

“…At least in some situations, it has been demonstrated that when saliva flow rate is artificially stimulated (with, for example, lemon drops), s-IgA concentrations decrease with increased flow, while the s-IgA secretion rate increases with increased flow rate (Brandtzaeg, 1971). Similar findings have been observed when saliva flow was not artificially stimulated (Graham et al, 1988;Kugler et al, 1992;Evans et al, 1993). The relations between saliva flow rate and s-IgA concentration and secretion rate are particularly important, since autonomic arousal associated with stress or negative affect may influence saliva flow rate (Stone et al, 1987b), although the directionality of the effects is uncertain.…”

Diagnostic Potential of Saliva: Current State and Future Applications

“…It has been shown that secretion of SIgA is increased by nervous stimulation of the salivary glands, but the exact manner in which the transport is accelerated is not yet understood (35 ). There must be a cutoff limit to the speed of transport, because SIgA concentrations in saliva are known to decrease as saliva flow is stimulated (36 ).…”

Salivary Biomarkers in Children: Exercise, Physical Activity and Obesity Studies

“…6 Salivary IgA is undetectable at birth but then consistently increases with age. 7 The levels of sIgA reach their approximate peak by seven years of age and remain consistently high during mid-life and then decline during old age. 7 Gender differences in sIgA levels have been reported in healthy young men and women.…”

“…7 The levels of sIgA reach their approximate peak by seven years of age and remain consistently high during mid-life and then decline during old age. 7 Gender differences in sIgA levels have been reported in healthy young men and women. 8 Serum levels of IgA have not been shown to have direct relationship with those found in saliva.…”

“…8 Serum levels of IgA have not been shown to have direct relationship with those found in saliva. 7,[9][10][11] In children and the elderly, both who are at increased risk of a compromised immune system, a lower concentration of IgA in saliva has been conceptualized as a risk factor for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). [9][10][11] Additional studies have also linked mood, academic stress and social support with altered levels of sIgA.…”