New research from the University of Birmingham has
found that lower levels of antibodies in saliva are
associated with of an elevated risk of mortality,
and could be an early indicator of risk.
The study, published in PLOS ONE, examined
associations between secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA),
the common antibody found in saliva, and mortality
rates in the general population.
There was a negative association between IgA
secretion rate and all-cause mortality. Further
analysis of specific causes of mortality revealed
that the all-cause association was due to an
underlying association with cancer mortality and, in
particular with non-lung cancers.
The team believe that as it appears to be a marker
of mortality risk, and is much less invasive than
blood sampling, saliva sampling to determine IgA
secretion rate has the potential to be used as an
indicator of overall health by professionals as part
of a general check-up.
639 adults, from the eldest cohort of the West of
Scotland Twenty-07 Study took part in the study.
Participants, aged 63 years old at the time of
saliva sampling in 1995, had their IgA secretion
rate measured and the mortality rate was tracked
over the following 19 years.
Associations were adjusted for gender, assay batch,
household occupational group, smoking, medication
usage, and self-reported health.
Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are proteins
secreted by white blood cells and are essential for
combating infectious disease.
Dr Anna Phillips, from the University of Birmingham,
explained, "There are a number of factors that can
affect how well we produce antibodies and maintain
their levels. There are some that we have no control
over, such as age, heritability or illness, but our
general state of health can also affect their
levels; stress, diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking
can all influence those levels."
"Quite how saliva samples could be used in check-ups
remains to be seen, as we need to better understand
what secretion rate would be considered cause for
concern - what we call the protective level. We
could certainly say that, if found to be extremely
low, it would be a useful early indicator of risk."
The team believe that the next step would be to
follow up with a larger longitudinal study, to
investigate the link with infectious diseases and
the development progression of disease like cancer
to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms
behind the association found in the study.
For more information
PLOS ONE
Salivary Immunoglobulin A Secretion Rate Is
Negatively Associated with Cancer Mortality: The
West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study
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