Secretory immunoglobulin A concentration in non-stimulated and stimulated saliva in relation to the status of smoking.

Introduction: Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is a dominant immunoglobulin in the saliva. It is the first line of defense against microorganisms.

Aim of the study: Analysis of secretory immunoglobulin A concentration in non-stimulated and stimulated saliva. Assessment of sIgA concentration in relation to the status of cigarette smoking of the investigated.

Material and methods: Survey and biochemical studies of saliva were conducted in the group of 109 people (smokers and non-smokers) aged 20-54. The smokers smoked from 5 to more than 20 cigarettes daily. The investigation material was nonstimulated and stimulated saliva collected from patients on the same day between 9.30 and 11.30 a.m, 1.5-2h after meal. Directly after non-stimulated and stimulated saliva collection Salivette tubes were placed in the ice container with the temperature of 4oC, then centrifuged at the temperature of 4oC for 12 minutes at 3000 r/min. The obtained supernatant was stored at the temperature of -75ºC until the assays were performed. sIgA concentration was determined using sIgA ELISA Kit (Immunodiagnostik AG, Germany). Statistical analysis was conducted with the use of Mann – Whitney test. While investigating the influence of age on the studied parameters Spearman correlation coefficient and its significance were used. Statistically significant test values were those of p<0.05.

Results: In non-stimulated saliva sIgA concentration was significantly higher compared to stimulated saliva (Z = 4.00, p<0.001). No significant differences were stated in sIgA concentration in non-stimulated saliva between smokers and non-smokers (Z = 0.26, p>0.05). No essential differences were stated in sIgA concentration in stimulated saliva between non-smokers and smokers (Z = 0.23, p>0.05). Essential differences were stated between the groups. In men sIgA concentration in stimulated saliva was significantly higher compared to women (Z = 2.25, p<0.05).

Conclusions: sIgA concentration in non-stimulated saliva is significantly higher in comparison to stimulated saliva. The status of cigarette smoking does not influence the essential differences in sIgA concentration in nonstimulated and stimulated saliva. In men sIgA concentration in stimulated saliva is significantly higher in comparison to women.