Increased salivary immunoglobulin A and reduced α-amylase activity in whole saliva from spastic cerebral palsy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) together with innate defenses such as α-amylase, provides the 'first line of defense' against pathogens present at mucosal surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate salivary α-amylase and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in whole saliva of spastic cerebral palsy (CP) individuals.
METHODS: Whole saliva was collected from 22 CP and 24 sibling volunteers with no neurological damage control groups (CG) (aged 7-14 years). The salivary flow rate, total protein and SIgA concentrations, and α-amylase activity were determined.
RESULTS: The CP group presented higher salivary flow rate (35%) and lower total protein concentration (18%) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had higher absolute (68%, μg SIgA/ml) and relative (55%, μg SIgA/mg prot and 108%, μg SIgA/min) concentrations of IgA compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had lower relative α-amylase activity (15% mg malt/mg prot and 33%, mg malt/min) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study concluded that CP individuals presented alterations in the profile of salivary proteins involved in the defense system of the oral cavity.