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Published on: December 18, 2013
Salivary IgA secretion rate in young and elderly persons
I D Miletic1, S S Schiffman, V D Miletic
1Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Elderly individuals exhibit lower salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion rates and saliva flow compared to younger adults. Daily stress and events also impact IgA levels, highlighting age-related immune variations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Oral Biology
Background:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is crucial for mucosal immunity, acting as a primary defense against pathogens.
- Secretory IgA (sIgA) levels may fluctuate daily due to diet, mood, and exercise.
- Age-related changes in immune function are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in salivary secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations and secretion rates.
- To explore the influence of daily events and stress on sIgA secretion in different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Salivary IgA was quantified using ELISA in 48 participants (20-30 years and 60-80 years).
- Saliva samples were collected daily for 7 days, assessing flow, total proteins, and sIgA.
- Participants were grouped into 'young' and 'elderly' categories.
Main Results:
- Saliva flow and sIgA secretion rates were significantly lower in the elderly group compared to the young group.
- sIgA secretion rate was independent of total protein concentration in saliva.
- Individual variability in sIgA secretion was observed within age groups.
- Stress and daily events were found to influence sIgA secretion rates.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with reduced salivary sIgA secretion and flow, potentially impacting mucosal defense.
- Daily physiological and psychological factors modulate sIgA secretion, irrespective of age.
- Further research is warranted to understand the implications of these findings for mucosal health in aging populations.
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