Salivary flow, immunoglobulin A levels and serum antioxidant status in smokers after a single black currant meal

Specific immunological defense of oral mucosal surfaces is mediated by the secretory IgA antibodies [1]. Smoking tobacco favors prooxidative conditions and correlates with impaired oral health including reduced salivary immunoglobulins. In this study, we investigated effects of black currants meal on salivary flow and salivary IgA content in healthy smokers. Saliva and serum samples were collected at 7 time points: 5, 30, and 60 minutes after smoking, 5, 30, and 60 minutes after smoking followed by black currant meal and 5 minutes after consecutive black currant meal without smoking. Acute smoking reduced salivary flow but the total IgA content in saliva, secreted in time, was not significantly influenced. Black currant meal (100g fresh fruit) consumed after acute smoking strongly stimulated salivary flow and the peak was detected after 30 minutes. The concentration of salivary IgA followed the same trend, resulting in even higher elevation of total IgA content. Second consecutive black currant meal, without smoking, positively influenced salivary flow, but total IgA levels were lower, indicating that capacity of salivary IgA depo is limited and that concurrent treatment could not be effective as the single one. Changes of serum IgA levels through these time points were not statistically significant, and salivary IgA values did not correlate with antioxidant status parameters. Our observations implicate that black currant fruit consumption could be beneficial in the conditions of acute reduction of salivary flow or IgA secretion during smoking or some conditions, like mental stress, that are known to influence salivary IgA levels.

References:

[1] Dodds, M. et al. (2005) Health benefits of saliva: a review. J Dent, 33:223233.