抄録
Oral hygiene is important for the prevention of many diseases. In particular, the prevention of poor oral
health (oral frailty) is essential to prolonging the healthy life expectancy. Reduced immune response in the
saliva has been associated with oral frailty. Previously, we focused on human-β-defensin-2 (HBD-2),
which specifically regulates the immune response in the oral cavity, and demonstrated that the reduction
of salivary HBD-2 results in poor oral health and increases the risk of opportunistic infections. In this
study, focusing on water exercise training considered to increase intraoral immune function, we
investigated the influence of water exercise training on the oral local immune function and Streptococcus
mutans-suppressing effect. The salivary HBD-2 levels were 24.2±6.2 and 48.6±9.6pg/mL before and after
intervention, respectively, showing that it significantly increased (p<0.05). Regarding the Streptococcus
mutans-suppressing effect, a significant bacterial growth-inhibitory effect was noted after intervention
compared with that before intervention (p<0.05). Focusing on water exercise training considered to
increase intraoral immune function, the influence of Water exercise training on the oral local immune
function and Streptococcus mutans growth-inhibitory effect was investigated.
