Salivary antioxidant variations in athletes after intense exercise

Abstract

Introduction. Antioxidant system in saliva protects oral cavity as well as gastrointestinal tract form attack of free radicals. The aim of this research was investigating the whole antioxidant system variations in saliva of athlete men. The effect of short term intense exercise on salivary flow rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and uric acid concentration was examined.
Material and Method. In a double blind randomized design, 25 healthy athlete men (mean age 22.9±1.5 years, mean weight 73.77±5.8, height 176.6±7.13m body fat 14.34±1.31% and maximum oxygen consumption 48) enrolled for the research. Before collecting their un-stimulated saliva, the purpose of study was explained and informed consent obtained. Their un-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected before, immediately after and one hour after treadmill runs at exhaustion. Activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and concentration of uric acid were determined using corresponding biochemical assays.
Results. The results showed a significant increase in uric acid concentration and activity of enzymes immediately after exercise. However, this increase was slowly compensated in one hour after exhaustion.
Conclusions. Therefore, short-duration and high-intensity exercise increases the antioxidant power of saliva for scavenging the free radicals produced by stress from intense exercise.

Key words:

athletes, saliva, flow rate, salivary whole antioxidants.