Exercise, But Not Acute Sleep Loss, Increases Salivary Antimicrobial Protein Secretion

Abstract

Sleep deficiencies may play a role in depressing immune parameters. Little is known about the impact of exercise after sleep deprivation on mucosal immunity. The purpose of this study was to quantify salivary antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) in response to sleep loss before and after exercise. Four men and 4 women (age: 22.8 ± 2; : 49.1 ± 7.1 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) completed 2 exercise trials consisting of 45 minutes of running at 75% VO2peak after a normal night of sleep (CON) and after a night without sleep (WS). Exercise trials were separated by 10 ± 3 days. Saliva was collected before, immediately after, and 1 hour after exercise. LL-37, HNP1-3, Lactoferrin (Lac), and Lysozyme (Lys) were measured. Sleep loss did not affect the concentration or secretion rate of AMPs before or in response to exercise. However, exercise increased the concentration from pre- to post-exercise of LL-37 (pre: 15.5 ± 8.7; post: 22.3 ± 16.2 ng · ml(-1)), HNP1-3 (pre: 2.2 ± 2.3; post: 3.3 ± 2.5 µg · ml(-1)), Lac (pre: 5,234 ± 4,202; post: 12,283 ± 10,995 ng · ml(-1)), and Lys (pre: 5,831 ± 4,465; post: 12,542 ± 10,755 ng · ml(-1)), p <= 0.05. The secretion rates were higher immediately after and 1 hour after exercise compared with before exercise for LL-37 (pre: 3.1 ± 2.1; post: 5.1 ± 3.7; +1: 6.9 ± 8.4 ng · min(-1)), HNP1-3 (pre: 0.38 ± 0.38; post: 0.80 ± 0.75; +1: 0.84 ± 0.67 µg · min(-1)), Lac (pre: 1,096 ± 829; post: 2,948 ± 2,923; +1: 2,464 ± 3,785 ng · min(-1)), and Lys (pre: 1,534 ± 1,790; post: 3,042 ± 2,773; +1: 1,916 ± 1,682 ng · min-(1)), p<= 0.05. These data suggest that the major constituents of the mucosal immune system are unaffected by acute sleep loss and by exercise after acute sleep loss. Exercise increased the concentration and secretion rate of each AMP suggesting enhanced immunity and control of inflammation, despite limited sleep.

Effects of Protein Versus Carbohydrate Supplementation on Markers of Immune Response in Master Triathletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Contrary to our results, previous studies reported acute increases in the concentration of HNP1-3 determined immediately after submaximal constant intensity long duration protocols [7,9] or until 1 h compared to pre-exercise values [9]. The post exercise increase in salivary HNP1-3 levels may, to the same extent, be related to an exercise-induced muscle inflammatory response.…”

“…Participants in the present investigation were master-age triathletes, while previous studies have analyzed the acute response of young recreationally active participants [7,9].…”

“…Acute increases in the concentration of HNP1-3 and other AMP (i.e. LL-37, LL-37, L Lactoferrin, and Lysozyme) have been reported after 2.5 h [7,8] or 45 minutes [9] of submaximal (60% to 75% of V̇O2peak) endurance exercises. Conversely, decreases in basal levels and secretion rates of HNP1-3 were also observed after an 8-week resistance-training program in young males who regularly consumed a post-workout beverage containing hydrolyzed beef proteins and carbohydrates [10].…”

Realising the Potential of Urine and Saliva as Diagnostic Tools in Sport and Exercise Medicine

“…Lactoferrin and lysozyme, antimicrobial compounds found in saliva secretions [187,188], have been used to monitor longitudinal changes in elite weightlifters [189] and basketball players [190], measured in endurance exercise in which hydration affects secretion [191], and have been shown to increase in response to running at 75 % VO 2max [192]. Intense exercise, however, may reduce their concentration, which may subsequently increase the risk of infection and incidence of URTIs [83].…”

Effects of prolonged running in the heat and cool environments on selected physiological parameters and salivary lysozyme responses

“…In addition to insignificant effects of ambient/room temperature on the salivary lysozyme responses observed in this study, it was also noted that prolonged exercise, running at 60% for 90 min, have no significant effects on the salivary lysozyme responses. Similarly, a previous study has reported no change in salivary lysozyme after exercise, 14 while other investigators have reported significant increases 16 , 17 or decreases. 18 This discrepancy may be attributed to the different methods of expressing lysozyme, nutritional status of the participants, and the exercise protocol employed.…”