Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Measuring Granulocyte and Monocyte Phagocytosis and Oxidative Burst Activity in Human Blood
Published on: September 12, 2016
The effects of post-exercise feeding on saliva anti-microbial proteins
J S Costa R1, Matthew B Fortes, Katharine Richardson
1Department of Physiotherapy and Dietetics, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
Abstract:
The purpose was to determine the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO)-protein (PRO) drink, consumed immediately after endurance exercise on saliva anti-microbial proteins known to be important for host defence. Eleven male runners ran for 2 h at 75% VO2max on two occasions, and immediately post-exercise were provided, in randomised order, either a placebo solution (CON), or a CHO-PRO solution containing 1.2 gCHO·kg-1BM and 0.4 gPRO·kg-1BM (CHO-PRO). Both solutions were flavour and volume equivalent (12 ml·kg- 1BM). Saliva flow rate, lysozyme, α-amylase, and secretory (S) IgA concentrations were determined from unstimulated saliva samples collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise and every 30 min until 180 min post-exercise. CHO-PRO ingestion immediately post-exercise resulted in a lower saliva flow rate compared with CON at 30 and 60 min post exercise. Saliva lysozyme concentration increased immediately post-exercise in both trials compared with pre-exercise (P< 0.05), and CHO-PRO ingestion immediately post-exercise resulted in a higher saliva lysozyme concentration in the first hour of recovery compared with CON (125% greater at 30 min; 94% greater at 60 min, P< 0.01). Saliva SIgA concentration decreased below pre-exercise concentrations 90-150 min post-exercise (P< 0.01) with no effect of CHO-PRO. Saliva α-amylase activity was unaffected by exercise or CHO-PRO re-feeding. CHO-PRO re-feeding did not alter the secretion rates of any saliva variables during recovery. In conclusion, immediate re-feeding with CHO-PRO evoked a greater saliva lysozyme concentration during the first hour of recovery after prolonged exercise compared with ingestion of placebo, but had minimal impact upon saliva α-amylase and SIgA responses.
Related Concept Videos
Salivary Glands and Saliva
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
The Oral Microbiota
What is Monogastric Digestion?
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Absorptive State

