Salivary IL-8 and IL-1RA changes induced by exercise in cold-dry and normal conditions

•Different trends were observed for IL-8 and IL-1RA levels in each of the conditions.•Changes in cytokines may provide insight into the etiology of airway hyperresponsiveness.•Saliva sampling provides non-invasive immune system biomarkers to study exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of exercise in cold-dry (CC, −20 °C, RH 40%) and normal conditions (NC, 20 °C, RH 60%) on salivary levels of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (IL-1RA, IL-8, and IL-5) and the airway response (FEV1 and FVC) in young healthy males. Participants (n = 11, age: 23.6 ± 3.1 years) completed an incremental to maximal exercise test and two exercise sessions in an environmental chamber in random order. Saliva samples were collected, and spirometry was performed prior to the maximal exercise test as well as pre and post-exercise for the CC and NC sessions. IL-8 levels increased from pre to post-exercise during NC but not during CC; the opposite trend was observed for IL-1RA. These data may provide insight into pathways associated with the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in healthy athletes.