88. The impact of workload and training status on salivary antimicrobial proteins following acute exercise

• Published in: Brain, behavior, and immunity Vol. 40; p. e26
• Main Authors: Kunz, H.E, Spielmann, G, Pistillo, M, Reed, J, Ograjsek, T, Simpson, R.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0889-1591; 1090-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.06.108

Salivary antimicrobial proteins (sAMPs) protect the upper respiratory tract from invading microorganisms. Maintaining mucosal immune integrity is important for elite-level endurance athletes as high levels of training are associated with increased risks of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). This study examined the effects of exercising workload and training status on the sAMP response to acute exercise. Seventeen trained cyclists completed three 30-min exercise trials at −5%, +5% and +15% of the individual blood lactate threshold (BLT). Saliva samples were collected pre and post-exercise to determine the concentration and secretion of α-amylase, HNP1–3, lactoferrin, LL-37, lysozyme, and sIgA. The concentration and/or secretion of all sAMPs increased post-exercise, but only α-amylase was sensitive to exercise workload. Highly trained cyclists (BLT power output/kg body mass > 2.8 w) had lower baseline concentrations of α-amylase, HNP1–3, and lactoferrin, although no group differences were found for baseline sAMP secretion rates. Highly trained cyclists did, however, exhibit greater post-exercise increases in the concentration and/or secretion of all measured sAMPs. This study shows that acute dynamic exercise increases sAMP concentration and secretion, and that α-amylase is sensitive marker of the sympathetic response that is associated with different exercising workloads. We also show for the first time that training status is a major determinant of both resting and exercise-induced changes in sAMPs, indicating a potential adaptive response to acute exercise in highly trained athletes.