OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of a Qigong program on various parameters of unstimulated saliva, including volume, pH and secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) level.

METHODSTwice a day from the beginning of Fall 2005, twenty-three healthy volunteers aged 22-24 did special Qigong exercises and massage of acupuncture points which stimulated the energy cycle and increased body water energy. The unstimulated saliva volume and pH were recorded every week in Spring (April, May, June) 2005 before the volunteers started to learn and exercise Qigong, and after Qigong intervention in Spring (April, May, June) 2006. During the period of study, saliva was collected in the same location and on similar dates at the Dental Faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The S-IgA levels of the last samples of the last week of Spring 2005 and 2006 were measured.

RESULTSThe unstimulated saliva volume after Qigong exercises (2.94 + or - 0.20 mL/5min) was significantly higher as compared to the pre-Qigong phase (1.65 + or -0.102 mL/5min, P<0.05). The S-IgA level was 105.45 + or - 9.41 mg/mL before doing Qigong exercises, and 156.23 + or - 88.56 mg/mL after doing Qigong exercises, and a statistically significant difference was seen between the two measurements (P=0.005). The change in pH was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of Qigong is beneficial for increasing salivary volume and other parameters. Moreover, the results suggest that Qigong may be a useful medication for patients with salivary hyposecretion. Further research is recommended in examining the long-term effects of Qigong on improving salivary volume and other parameters in individuals with salivary hyposecretion.

Breathing Exercises ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Male ; Saliva ; immunology ; secretion ; Young Adult

Adult ; Biomarkers ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Isoenzymes ; analysis ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Saliva ; enzymology ; immunology ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the dental decay of children with the contents of chemokine CCL28 and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva. METHODS: A total of 108 children in 2 kindergartens of Changsha, with age from 3 to 5 years old, were enrolled for this study. The saliva was collected from these children when they were in the examination of mouth. Th e children were divided into 3 groups: A non-caries group [dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT)=0], a low caries group (DMFT=1-4) and a high caries group (DMFT ≥ 5). Th e contents of CCL28 and sIgA were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The contents of CCL28 and sIgA in saliva were (121.22 ± 32.63) pg/mL and (16.49 ± 8.02) μg/mL, respectively. A positive linear correlation was found between the CCL28 content and sIgA content in saliva (r=0.734). Th e CCL28 and sIgA contents in saliva were positively correlated with the degree of dental caries in children (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The dental decay of children leads to the secretion of chemokine CCL28, which promotes the secretion of sIgA in saliva.
Chemokines, CC ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Dental Caries ; pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Saliva ; chemistry

The advantages of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are its sensitivity and its accuracy in detecting and measuring immunoglobulin classes. By ELISA, the tear IgA level was measured in 165 healthy persons. Tears were collected by a strong absorbent (Weck Cel(R)). This is the first report of a tear IgA level in normal Koreans measured by ELISA. The mean level was 60.5 +/- 23.4 mg/dl. There was no statistically significant difference between the IgA level in the males (61.8 +/- 23.2 mg/dl) and that of the females (58.4 +/- 23.5 mg/dl)(p > 0.05). The difference between the tear IgA levels in the various age groups was not significant (p > 0.05).
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/*analysis ; Male ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Tears/*analysis

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of probiotics and oral immunoglobulin on pediatric rotavirus enteritis.

METHODSA randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 150 children with rotavirus enteritis who were randomly divided into control, probiotic and immunoglobulin groups (n=50 each). In addition to basic treatment, the control group was given placebo, the probiotic group was given live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablets, and the immunoglobulin group was orally given anti-rotavirus egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY). Clinical symptoms such as stool frequency and stool properties were recorded every day. Fresh stool samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 of treatment. Intestinal flora imbalance was detected and divided into three degrees by microscopic examination of stool. Fecal SIgA level and fecal rotavirus shedding were measured by radioimmunoassay and double-antibody sandwich ELISA respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the probiotic group had reduced intestinal flora imbalance, decreased stool frequency, and reduced incidence of secondary intestinal bacterial infection after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in disease course between the probiotic and control groups. Compared with the control group, the immunoglobulin group had a significantly increased fecal SIgA level after 1 day of treatment (P<0.05), significantly decreased frequency of diarrhea and fecal rotavirus shedding after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05), and a significantly shorter disease course (4.5±1.0 vs 5.8±1.7 days; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor children with rotavirus enteritis, probiotics can reduce intestinal flora imbalance and prevent secondary intestinal bacterial infection, but probiotics take a long time to relieve clinical symptoms and cannot shorten the course of disease. Oral immunoglobulin takes effect quickly and can rapidly eliminate rotavirus, promote the production of SIgA, and shorten the course of disease.

Child, Preschool ; Enteritis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Immunoglobulins ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Male ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use ; Rotavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVEGastrointestinal dysfunction is closely correlated with the destruction of intestinal barrier function induced by serious infection. Platelet activating factor (PAF) may induce intestinal injuries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PAF on the injury of intestinal mucosal immuno-barrier function in young rats.

METHODSEighteen-day-old Wistar rats were randomized to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg), LPS plus PAF receptor antagonist and normal saline injection (Control). PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 5 mg/kg was administered before or 30 minutes after LPS injection (pretreatment or treatment). The ileum specimens (n=8) were harvested at 1.5, 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after LPS injection. Double antibody-PEG radioimmunoassay was used to determine the secretory IgA (sIgA) content in intestinal mucosa. Hematoxylin and erosin staining was used for histological evaluation. The ratio of wet and dry weight (W/D) of ileum tissues was calculated.

RESULTSIntestinal villi edema, capillary congestion, extension of the subepithelial lympho channel, and polymorphonuclear infiltration in enteric cavity were noted in the LPS group at 1.5, 3, 6 and 24 hrs after LPS injection. In the PAF receptor antagonist group only villi edema was found. The W/D ratio in the LPS group was significantly higher than that in the Control group at all time points, but it was slightly reduced by the PAF receptor antagonist pretreatment or treatment. The sIgA content was obviously decreased after 1.5, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hrs of LPS challenge compared with that in the Control group (P < 0.01). It reached to a nadir at 6 hrs (0.15 +/- 0.04 microg/mL). The level of sIgA in the PAF receptor antagonist group was higher than that in the LPS group at each time point. There was no statistical difference in the sIgA level between the PAF receptor pretreatment and treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONSPAF plays roles in the injury of intestinal immuno-barrier function. Preventive and remedial use of PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 may relieve intestinal injury.

Animals ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Ginkgolides ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Intestines ; immunology ; pathology ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Platelet Activating Factor ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the protection against periodontal bone loss in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats periodontitis model, with the recombined plasmid pcDNA3.1+/kgpcd as DNA gene vaccine.

METHODSPcDNA3.1+/kgpcd was delivered into rats by submandibular gland-targeted injection. The anti-KGPcd sIgA in saliva was measured by indirect ELISA method. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to assess the protection in the animal model.

RESULTSThe level of specific anti-KGPcd sIgA in saliva of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group. HE staining showed that immunization with recombined plasmid pcDNA3.1+/kgpcd could protect or minimize tissue destruction caused by subsequent P. gingivalis challenge in the rat model.

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that pcDNA3.1+/kgpcd was a good candidate for anti-periodontitis gene vaccine and could provide protection against Porphyromonas gingivalis-caused periodontitis in rat lesion model.

Animals ; Bacterial Vaccines ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Periodontitis ; immunology ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; genetics ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to examine the levels of salivary SIgA and serum IgG induced by pcDNA3-pac and pcDNA3-gtfB immunization, so as to testify the antigenity of the two gene vaccines.

METHODS36 28-day-old Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups, among which 3 experimental groups were vaccinated with pcDNA3-pac, pcDNA3-gtfB or pcDNA3-pac combined with pcDNA3-gtfB, respectively, one positive control was vaccinated with inactive whole cell of S. mutans JBP and other two negative controls were injected with the vector pcDNA3 or PBS buffer, respectively. All vaccines and materials were delivered with 100 micrograms by submandibular gland injection for 3 times. Then the restricted bacterial model of rat was constructed. Following that all rats were fed with cariogenic diet Keyes 2000 for 3 months, saliva and serum samples were collected to assay SIgA or IgG levels by ELASA.

RESULTSThe salivary S-IgA levels both in pcDNA3-pac combined with pcDNA3-gtfB group and inactive S. mutans cell group were higher than others (P < 0.01). In groups of pcDNA3 and PBS buffer, they were lowest (P < 0.01). The serum IgG levels in the three experimental groups and positive control were higher than that in negative control (P < 0.05). It was important that salivary SIgA in groups of gene vaccine and inactive S. mutans vaccination reached its peak at the 11th week after the first inoculation and kept until the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONBoth pcDNA3-pac and pcDNA3-gtfB can express immunogenic protein and induce immune responses of mucosal and humoral immune system in gnobobiotic rats. It is also indicated that the joint gene vaccines immunization is an optimal choice for anticaries strategy.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; analysis ; blood ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glucosyltransferases ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saliva ; immunology ; Streptococcal Vaccines ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Administration, Sublingual ; Bacterial Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Male ; Pseudomonas Vaccines ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines were encapsulated in the Micro-particles made from polyethylene glycol-poly-DL-lactide (PELA). BALB/c mouse were divided into three groups with 20 mice in each. Mouse were immunized respectively with controlled release microencapsulated Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines and Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines by oral and subcutaneous administration. The mice blood and salvia were collected at the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks respectively for the titrating of IgG and sIgA antibodies by RIA. At the 8th week, live typhoid bacteria were injected into the immunized mice for the calculation of the rate of immunization protection. The IgG titers of the controlled release microencapsulated Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines group were higher than those of the other groups(P < 0.05). The IgA titers of the low groups of controlled release microencapsulated Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines (oral and subcutaneous) were higher than those of the group of Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines (P < 0.05). The immunization protection rates of the three groups were 40%, 100% and 60% respectively. The controlled release microencapsulated Salmonella Typhi capsular polysaccharide vaccines possess the advantages of releasing slowly in vivo and persisting long time immunogenicity.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Female ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microspheres ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Vaccination