Voluntary exercise increases IgA concentration and polymeric Ig receptor expression in the rat submandibular gland

Abbreviations: pIgR, polymeric Ig receptor; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; PCR, Polymerase chain reaction; NK, natural killer; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; PMSF, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; HRP, horseradish peroxidase; TMB, tetramethylbenzidine; HPA, hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis; Th, T helper; IL, interleukin; INF, interferon.

Figures & data

Table 1. The composition (%) of the fiber-free diet and the AIN-76 diet that was the basis of this diet.

Ingredient			AIN-76		Fiber-free diet
Casein			20.0		20.0
Sucrose			50.0		70.0
Maize oil			5.0		5.0
AIN76 M-Mix			3.5		3.5
AIN76 V-Mix			1.0		1.0
DL-Met			0.3		0.3
Choline bitartrate			0.2		0.2
Maize starch			15.0		–
Cellulose			5.0		–
Total (%)			100.0		100.0

Fig. 1. Rat body weight gain.

Notes: Values are the mean ± standard deviation (SD; n = 5). The control and exercise group demonstrated a significant difference in weight gain. *p < 0.05.

Fig. 2. Concentrations of IgA in rat submandibular gland tissue.

Notes: Box plots represent the smallest observation, lower quartile, median (horizontal bar), upper quartile, and largest observation (n = 5). The exercise group demonstrated significantly higher IgA concentrations in submandibular gland tissue than did the control group. *p < 0.05.

Fig. 3. Concentrations of IgA in rat serum.

Notes: Box plots represent the smallest observation, lower quartile, median (horizontal bar), upper quartile, and largest observation (n = 5). The exercise group and the control group did not demonstrate a significant difference in serum IgA concentration.

Fig. 4. Concentrations of IgA in rat saliva.

Notes: Box plots represent the smallest observation, lower quartile, median (horizontal bar), upper quartile and largest observation (n = 5). The exercise group demonstrated a significantly higher salivary IgA concentration than did the control group. *p < 0.05.

Fig. 5. Flow rate of IgA in rat saliva.

Notes: Box plots represent the smallest observation, lower quartile, median (horizontal bar), upper quartile, and largest observation (n = 5). The exercise group demonstrated a significantly faster flow rate of salivary IgA than did the control group. *p < 0.05.

Fig. 6. Expression of pIgR mRNA in rat submandibular gland tissue (pIgR/β-actin)

Notes: Box plots represent the smallest observation, lower quartile, median (horizontal bar), upper quartile, and largest observation (n = 5). The exercise group demonstrated significantly elevated pIgR mRNA expression in submandibular gland tissue than did the control group. *p < 0.05.