Abstract
The concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF), amylase, haptocorrin, total protein, sodium and potassium was studied in mixed saliva collected from 25 individuals before and after a 2 h-long cross-country race. The concentration was higher following the run for all components studied. The concentrations obtained before and after the run, given as extreme values and median, are 0.2-1.3 (0.4), 0.3-1.5 (0.8) nmol/l for EGF, 15-72 (25), 23-162 58) nmol/l for haptocorrin and 24-502 (120), 155-5,030 (1,200) kU/l for amylase. The increased concentration of the components studied is most probably caused by an increased adrenergic and VIP'ergic tonus of the individuals after the run.