Effects of psychosocial stress on the pattern of salivary protein release

► Acute stressors elicit the release of many salivary immune proteins. ► Salivary protein release was examined in response to an acute stressor in asthmatics and healthy controls. ► Salivary protein was quantified using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. ► Stress increased the release of alpha amylase, light chain IgA, and cystatin S. ► Elevations of glutathione S-transferase and prolactin inducible protein were also observed. ► Asthma patients tended to show lower alpha amylase levels throughout the protocol.