Arctic Expeditions Harm Oral Immunity

Physiologists have identified changes in the local immune protection of participants undertaking Arctic expeditions. Research conducted during voyages of the Arctic Floating University revealed a significant decrease in the oral epithelium's sorption activity, indicated by a reduced number of microbes on epithelial cells. This dip occurred around the midway point of the approximately three-week expeditions.

During the voyages, participants face intense physical activity and extreme conditions, including polar day and rough seas. The study observed that the number of microbes on the epithelium surface increases as the epithelium's sorption activity decreases. This is primarily attributed to a lower content of immunoglobulin A, a crucial component for protecting against infection.

By the conclusion of the expeditions, the oral epithelium's sorption activity was noted to return to its usual rates. Researchers are now planning to analyze saliva samples for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines to gain deeper insights into immune responses. This non-invasive diagnostic approach is vital for understanding adaptation to Arctic conditions.