Immunol Res. 2025 Jun 12;73(1):96. doi: 10.1007/s12026-025-09654-1.
ABSTRACT
Immune fitness refers to the body’s ability to respond to health challenges by activating an appropriate immune response. Perceived immune fitness can be assessed using a single-item scale ranging from 0 (very poor) to 10 (excellent). The aim of the current study (n = 29 healthy volunteers) was to evaluate the relationship between perceived immune fitness and immune biomarker concentrations in saliva. Hourly assessments of immune fitness were made throughout the day (09:30 – 15:30), and saliva samples were collected accordingly. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using multiplex immunoassay. While immune fitness scores remained stable during the day, biomarker assessments showed some fluctuations. For IL-6, significant negative correlations were found between IL-6 concentration at 10:30 and immune fitness scores at 10:30 (r = -0.512), 11:30 (r = -0.383), and 12:30 (r = -0.443), and between the IL-6 concentration and immune fitness score at 15:30 (r = -0.704). For IL-8, significant correlations were found between IL-8 concentration at 10:30 and immune fitness scores at 10:30 (r = -0.480), 12:30 (r = -0.456), and 14:30 (r = -0.429). For TNF-α, significant positive correlations were found between TNF-α concentration at 13:30 and immune fitness scores at 13:30 (r = 0.517) and 14:30 (r = 0.477). No significant correlations were found between immune fitness and IL-1β. In conclusion, immune fitness scores remained stable throughout the day, and were significantly associated with salivary concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α at certain time points.
PMID:40500530 | DOI:10.1007/s12026-025-09654-1
