Secretory IgA in saliva can be a useful stress marker

Abstract

To evaluate secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva as an immunological stress marker, we reviewed the literature on sIgA and its variation caused by psychosocial factors. Among the studies on the effect of academic stress on sIgA secretion, we could distinguish two kinds of stress effects: the immediate stress effect which increases sIgA secretion immediately after stress, and the delayed stress effect which decreases sIgA secretion several days after stress. On the basis of production and secretion mechanisms of sIgA, we also speculated on possible mechanisms that underlie the variations of sIgA caused by stress. Eventually, we concluded that sIgA in saliva can be a useful stress marker if we analyze the delayed stress effect on sIgA separately from the immediate stress effect on sIgA.

Relationship between salivary Chromogranin-A and stress induced by simulated monotonous driving

“…Nevertheless, since hormone levels in saliva are known to reflect well the levels in plasma, measurement of salivary stress hormones offers the prospect of a very convenient and useful approach for research into stress. Examples of possible salivary secreted hormones are immunoglobulin-A (sIgA) [10,11], salivary amylase [12], and salivary Chromogranin-A (CgA) [13]. Salivary CgA was recently reported to be a useful biochemical marker of stress.…”

Effect of the Relief From Chronic Stress During Graduation Examination on Salivary Biomarkers

“…This result is rather intriguing assuming "delayed stress effect" reviewed by Tsujita [8]. However, to our knowledge, the number of IgA studies conducted on chronic stress is very small (about 10 studies until now).…”

“…Tsujita et al have referred to the 2 distinguishable responses of IgA in their review article: (1) an increase immediately after a short-term stress, which was termed as the "immediate stress effect" and (2) a decrease several days after stress, which was termed as the "delayed stress effect" [8]. However, the number of studies focusing on the latter effect remains small, and these studies have sometimes reported inconsistent results, while the former effect have been robustly observed [5].…”

Salivary Hormones, Immunes and Other Secretory Substances as Possible Stress Biomarker

“…An antibody, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), is one of the most important substances in human immune system (Tsujita, 1999). It is present in almost all human secretory fluids, such as saliva, serum, urine, breast milk etc.…”