Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bishop NC, Gleeson M (2009) Acute and chronic effects of exercise on markers of mucosal immunity. Front Biosci 14:4444–4456

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, D’Ottavio S, Manzi V (2008) The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test in basketball players. J Sci Med Sport 11:202–208. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2007.02.013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chicharro JL, Lucia A, Perez M, Vaquero AF, Urena R (1998) Saliva composition and exercise. Sports Med 26:17–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cieslak TJ, Frost G, Klentrou P (2003) Effects of physical activity, body fat, and salivary cortisol on mucosal immunity in children. J Appl Physiol 95:2315–2320. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00400.2003

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cole AS, Eastao JE (1988) Biochemistry and oral biology, 2nd edn. Wright, London, pp 476–477

    Google Scholar 

  • de Kloet ER, Joels M, Holsboer F (2005) Stress and the brain: from adaptation to disease. Nat Rev Neurosci 6:463–475. doi:10.1038/nrn1683

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitriou L, Sharp NC, Doherty M (2002) Circadian effects on the acute responses of salivary cortisol and IgA in well trained swimmers. Br J Sports Med 36:260–264

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duclos M, Gouarne C, Bonnemaison D (2003) Acute and chronic effects of exercise on tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. J Appl Physiol 94:869–875. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00108.2002

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP (1999) Stress hormones, Th1/Th2 patterns, pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines and susceptibility to disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 10:359–368. doi:10.1016/S1043-2760(99)00188-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison RT III, Giehl TJ, LaForce FM (1988) Damage of the outer membrane of enteric gram-negative bacteria by lactoferrin and transferrin. Infect Immun 56:2774–2781

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fleshner M (2000) Exercise and neuroendocrine regulation of antibody production: protective effect of physical activity on stress-induced suppression of the specific antibody response. Int J Sports Med 21:14–19. doi:10.1055/s-2000-1454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson M (2007) Immune function in sport and exercise. J Appl Physiol 103:693–699. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00008.2007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson M, Pyne DB (2000) Special feature for the Olympics: effects of exercise on the immune system: exercise effects on mucosal immunity. Immunol Cell Biol 78:536–544. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1711.2000.t01-8-.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson M, McDonald WA, Pyne DB, Cripps AW, Francis JL, Fricker PA, Clancy RL (1999) Salivary IgA levels and infection risk in elite swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:67–73

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hucklebridge F, Clow A, Evans P (1998) The relationship between salivary secretory immunoglobulin A and cortisol: neuroendocrine response to awakening and the diurnal cycle. Int J Psychophysiol 31:69–76. doi:10.1016/S0167-8760(98)00042-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue H, Sakai M, Kaida Y, Kaibara K (2004) Blood lactoferrin release induced by running exercise in normal volunteers: antibacterial activity. Clin Chim Acta 341:165–172. doi:10.1016/j.cccn.2003.12.001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kindermann W, Schnabel A, Schmitt WM, Biro G, Cassens J, Weber F (1982) Catecholamines, growth hormone, cortisol, insulin, and sex hormones in anaerobic and aerobic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 49:389–399

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kugler J, Hess M, Haake D (1992) Secretion of salivary immunoglobulin A in relation to age, saliva flow, mood states, secretion of albumin, cortisol, and catecholamines in saliva. J Clin Immunol 12:45–49

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Legrand D, Elass E, Pierce A, Mazurier J (2004) Lactoferrin and host defence: an overview of its immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Biometals 17:225–229

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li TL (2007) Exercise and salivary IgA response. J Exerc Physiol Fit 6:35–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marcotte H, Lavoie MC (1998) Oral microbial ecology and the role of salivary immunoglobulin A. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 62:71–109

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell SL, Hughes RA, Hughes RJ, Housh TJ, Johnson GO (1992) The effect of exercise training on salivary immunoglobulin A and cortisol responses to maximal exercise. Int J Sports Med 13:577–580

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moreira A, Arsati F, Cury PR, Franciscon C, Simoes AC, de Oliveira PR, de Araujo VC (2008) The impact of a 17-day training period for an international championship on mucosal immune parameters in top-level basketball players and staff members. Eur J Oral Sci 116:431–437. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0722.2008.00558.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Novas AM, Rowbottom DG, Jenkins DG (2003) Tennis, incidence of URTI and salivary IgA. Int J Sports Med 24:223–229

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ronsen O, Haug E, Pedersen BK, Bahr R (2001) Increased neuroendocrine response to a repeated bout of endurance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:568–575

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rudney JD (1989) Relationships between human parotid saliva lysozyme lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase and secretory immunoglobulin A in a large sample population. Arch Oral Biol 34:499–506

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rudney JD, Smith QT (1985) Relationships between levels of lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, and secretory immunoglobulin A in stimulated parotid saliva. Infect Immun 49:469–475

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simenz CJ, Dugan CA, Ebben WP (2005) Strength and conditioning practices of National Basketball Association strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 19:495–504. doi:10.1519/15264.1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tharp GD, Barnes MW (1990) Reduction of saliva immunoglobulin levels by swim training. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 60:61–64

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiollier E, Gomez-Merino D, Burnat P, Jouanin JC, Bourrilhon C, Filaire E, Guezennec CY, Chennaoui M (2005) Intense training: mucosal immunity and incidence of respiratory infections. Eur J Appl Physiol 93:421–428. doi:10.1007/s00421-004-1231-1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai ML, Chou KM, Chang CK, Fang SH (2009) Changes of mucosal immunity and anti-oxidation activity in elite male Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes associated with intensive training and rapid weight loss. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.062497

  • Walsh NP, Laing SJ, Oliver SJ, Montague JC, Walters R, Bilzon JL (2004) Saliva parameters as potential indices of hydration status during acute dehydration. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:1535–1542. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000139797.26760.06

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • West NP, Pyne DB, Renshaw G, Cripps AW (2006) Antimicrobial peptides and proteins, exercise and innate mucosal immunity. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 48:293–304. doi:10.1111/j.1574-695X.2006.00132.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wira CR, Rossoll RM (1991) Glucocorticoid regulation of the humoral immune system. Dexamethasone stimulation of secretory component in serum, saliva, and bile. Endocrinology 128:835–842

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We warmly thank the coach, Jung-Chieh Kao, and all the basketball team athletes for their patience and participation in this study. This study was supported by NSC 97-2320-B-028-001-MY3 granted by National Science Council, R. O. C. We thank Pei-Yu Shih for expert technical assistance.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education, National Taichung University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Cheng-Shiun He

  2. Institute of Athletics, National Taiwan Sport University, No. 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih Road, Taichung, 40404, Taiwan

    Min-Lung Tsai & Shih-Hua Fang

  3. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Miau-Hwa Ko

  4. Sport Science Research Center, National Taiwan Sport University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Chen-Kang Chang

Authors
  1. Cheng-Shiun He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Min-Lung Tsai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miau-Hwa Ko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chen-Kang Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shih-Hua Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shih-Hua Fang.

Additional information

Communicated by Susan Ward.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

He, CS., Tsai, ML., Ko, MH. et al. Relationships among salivary immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin and cortisol in basketball players during a basketball season. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 989–995 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1574-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1574-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation