Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobic, pathogenic bacterium is a major etiological agent in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. Due to the ever-changing environment of the oral cavity, inhabitants like Porphyromonas gingivalis must possess the ability to adapt to changes in environmental conditions like pH, temperature, oxygen tension, and metal concentration. P. gingivalis should therefore have an efficient regulatory system in order to adapt and survive in the oral cavity. This response adaptation occurs at the transcriptional level, which involves alternative sigma factors. Extracytoplasmic function sigma (ECF-s) factors are the largest group of alternative sigma factors that play a role in the bacterial response to environmental stress conditions. Here we analyze the s-70 factor gene, PG0214, an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor encoded in the P. gingivalis genome, and examine its role in the bacterial response to environmental stress and virulence. Our findings indicate that the PG0214 gene is important in regulating major functional gene groups and pathways in the P. gingivalis genome. Strains deficient in the PG0214 gene were analyzed and shown to have decreased protease activity, as well as reduced survivability and invasion rates in eukaryotic host cells when compared against wild-type W83 and ATCC 33277 strains. Collectively our studies demonstrate that the PG0214 gene is a positive regulator of gene expression for the survival and virulence of P. gingivalis in the presence of oxidative- and iron-stress, although further study is needed to fully characterize the gene and determine its specific function.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2000--Dortmund. / Dateiformat: PDF.

No description available.

La transmission du Virus de l’Immunodéficience Humaine (VIH) par voie sexuelle représente le mode majoritaire de contamination (80%) (UNAIDS). Ce mode de contamination implique le passage du virus à travers les muqueuses et une interaction avec les cellules épithéliales et les cellules immunitaires présentes au sein de ces muqueuses (cellules dendritiques, macrophages ou lymphocytes). Les muqueuses représentent le principal site d'exposition de l’organisme aux antigènes de l’environnement. Les SIgA (IgA sécrétoires) présentes dans la lumière de ces muqueuses représentent la première ligne de défense immunitaire contre l’infection et la colonisation des muqueuses. Les IgA sont capables d’interagir avec les glycoprotéines (gp) exprimées à la surface du VIH et de bloquer l’infection et/ou la transcytose à travers l’épithélium muqueux. Nous avons pu étudier la prévalence des SIgA anti-gp41 et plus précisément anti-MPER présentes dans la salive parotidienne de personnes Exposées au VIH Séronégatives (ESN) et leur rôle dans l’inhibition de l’infection par le virus in vitro. Nous avons pu démontrer que ces sujets présentaient un taux plus important de SIgA anti-MPER neutralisantes. Ce premier travail nous a permis de valider la gp41 comme immunogène d’intérêt pour la génération de SIgA neutralisantes. Nous avons pu générer des IgA1 dans un modèle murin α1Kl chimérique capable de produire des anticorps IgA1 humanisés. L’immunisation de ces souris a permis la production de 6 anticorps monoclonaux spécifiques de la région MPER capables de reconnaître des épitopes conformationnels élargis, correspondant aux épitopes reconnus par le 2F5 et le 4E10. Les IgA1 présentaient de fortes capacités neutralisantes pour différentes souches de laboratoire et de souches primaires du VIH. Les études de caractérisation des fonctions antivirales de ces anticorps permettront de mieux définir le mode d’action de ces anticorps. A notre connaissance, ces IgA1 neutralisantes anti-MPER sont les premières décrites à ce jour dans la littérature. De par leur faible immunogénicité et leur faible autoréactivité, ces anticorps peuvent facilement être intégrés dans des approches thérapeutiques locales ou par sérothérapie passive pour la protection après administration de SHIV dans des modèles animaux comme le macaque. L’ensemble de mes travaux de thèse ont confirmé l’intérêt thérapeutique potentiel des SIgA dans la lutte contre le VIH et notamment celles dirigées contre la partie gp41 de l’enveloppe / Sexual transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the major mode of contamination (80%) for this pathogen (UNAIDS). This mode of transmission involves a passage of the virus though the mucosa and an interaction with epithelial cells and immune cells present in the mucosa (dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes). Mucosa represents the major site of exposure for the organism to environmental antigens. The IgA expressed in the lumen of mucosa are the first line of immune defence against infection and colonization of mucosa. IgA are able to interact with glycoproteins (gp) expressed on the surface of HIV and prevent infection and/or block epithelial transcytosis. In this study we have investigated the prevalence of SIgA anti-MPER present in the parotid saliva of Exposed to HIV but Seronegative individuals (ESN). This study has allowed us to validate gp41 as an immunogen of interest for the generation of neutralizing IgA. IgA1 were generated in a chimeric mice model α1Kl that produced humanized IgA1 type antibodies. Immunizations of these mice has led to the elicitation of six monoclonal antibodies specific to the MPER region able to recognize extended conformational neutralizing epitopes of 2F5 and 4E10, two broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies specific to MPER. Elicited IgA1 have potent neutralizing properties for both laboratory and primary HIV strains. Characterization studies of the antiviral functions of these antibodies will further define the mode of action of these antibodies. To our knowledge, these anti-MPER humanized monoclonal neutralizing IgA1 antibodies are the first of this type described to date in the literature. By their low immunogenicity and autoreactivity, these antibodies can be easily integrated into local therapeutic approaches or passive serotherapy for protection in animal models such as the macaque challenged with SHIV. All the results of my PhD work confirm the great interest of gp41-specific SIgA as therapeutic agents against HIV

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaCPM_DISSERT.pdf: 2397281 bytes, checksum: 7b1980dadee1f29acfd2a04f92504c60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-14 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Mothers with good vitamin A nutritional status during gestation and lactation are better able to nourish and protect their infant with maternal milk. Our hypothesis is that women with more serum retinol have more retinol and secretory immunoglobulin A in colostrum. 190 healthy puerperal women from a Brazilian public maternity were recruited and divided according to the cutoff point for serum retinol (30 &#956;g/dL). A number of the women was supplemented with 200000 UI (60 mg) of retinyl palmitate in the immediate postpartum. Serum and colostrum were collected on the 1st day postpartum and colostrum again on the following day. Retinol (serum and colostrum) was analyzed by HPLC and SIgA (colostrum) by turbidimetry. The mothers presented with adequate biochemical indicators of nutritional status, according to serum retinol (44.6 &#956;g/dL). There were significant differences (p= 0.0017 and p= 0.043, respectively) in retinol and SIgA levels in the colostrum of mothers with serum retinol > 30 &#956;g/dL and < 30 &#956;g/dL. The concentration of SIgA in the colostrum of non-supplemented mothers on the 1st day postpartum was 822.6 mg/dL, decreasing after 24 hours to 343.7 mg/dL. Supplemented mothers showed levels of SIgA in colostrum of 498.9 mg/dL on the 2nd day postpartum (p= 0.00006). The colostrum of women with good vitamin A nutritional status had more retinol and SIgA. Additionally, maternal supplementation increases the levels of SIgA in colostrum. The higher levels of SIgA on the 1st day postpartum showed the importance of early breastfeeding, given that it provides considerable immunological benefits to newborn infants / M?es com bom estado nutricional em vitamina A na gesta??o e lacta??o ter?o melhores condi??es em nutrir e proteger o neonato atrav?s do leite materno. Nossa hip?tese ? que as mulheres com mais retinol no soro possuir?o mais retinol e imunoglobulina A secretora no colostro. Foram recrutadas 190 pu?rperas saud?veis em uma maternidade p?blica brasileira, que foram divididas segundo o ponto de corte para retinol s?rico (30 &#956;g/dL). 118 delas foram suplementadas com uma dose de 200000 UI (60 mg) de palmitato de retinila no p?s-parto imediato. Foram coletados soro e colostro no 1? dia p?s-parto e colostro novamente no dia seguinte. O retinol (soro e colostro) foi analisado por cromatografia l?quida de alta efici?ncia e a SIgA (colostro) por turbidimetria. As m?es apresentaram estado nutricional bioqu?mico adequado segundo retinol s?rico (44,6 &#956;g/dL). Houve diferen?as significativas (p= 0,0017 e p= 0,043, respectivamente) nos n?veis de retinol e SIgA no colostro de m?es com retinol s?rico > 30 &#956;g/dL e < 30 &#956;g/dL. A concentra??o de SIgA no colostro das m?es n?o suplementadas, no 1?dia p?s-parto, foi de 822,6 mg/dL, decrescendo, ap?s 24 horas, para 343,7 mg/dL. As m?es suplementadas apresentaram n?veis de SIgA no colostro de 498,9 mg/dL no 2? dia p?s-parto (p= 0,00006). O colostro de mulheres com bom estado nutricional em vitamina A possuem mais retinol e SIgA. Al?m disso, a suplementa??o materna aumenta os n?veis de SIgA no colostro. Os n?veis superiores de SIgA no 1? dia p?s-parto evidenciam a import?ncia da amamenta??o precoce, pois isso garante benef?cios imunol?gicos consider?veis ao rec?m-nascido

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:36:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AlineSB_DISSERT.pdf: 781546 bytes, checksum: 452a7ea66398babeb7e0c029e7a475fb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-03 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Mothers with good vitamin A nutritional status during gestation and lactation are better able to nourish and protect their infant with maternal milk. Our hypothesis is that women with more serum retinol have more retinol and secretory immunoglobulin A in colostrum. 190 healthy puerperal women from a Brazilian public maternity were recruited and divided according to the cutoff point for serum retinol (30 &#956;g/dL). A number of the women was supplemented with 200000 UI (60 mg) of retinyl palmitate in the immediate postpartum. Serum and colostrum were collected on the 1st day postpartum and colostrum again on the following day. Retinol (serum and colostrum) was analyzed by HPLC and SIgA (colostrum) by turbidimetry. The mothers presented with adequate biochemical indicators of nutritional status, according to serum retinol (44.6 &#956;g/dL). There were significant differences (p= 0.0017 and p= 0.043, respectively) in retinol and SIgA levels in the colostrum of mothers with serum retinol > 30 &#956;g/dL and < 30 &#956;g/dL. The concentration of SIgA in the colostrum of non-supplemented mothers on the 1st day postpartum was 822.6 mg/dL, decreasing after 24 hours to 343.7 mg/dL. Supplemented mothers showed levels of SIgA in colostrum of 498.9 mg/dL on the 2nd day postpartum (p= 0.00006). The colostrum of women with good vitamin A nutritional status had more retinol and SIgA. Additionally, maternal supplementation increases the levels of SIgA in colostrum. The higher levels of SIgA on the 1st day postpartum showed the importance of early breastfeeding, given that it provides considerable immunological benefits to newborn infants / M?es com bom estado nutricional em vitamina A na gesta??o e lacta??o ter?o melhores condi??es em nutrir e proteger o neonato atrav?s do leite materno. Nossa hip?tese ? que as mulheres com mais retinol no soro possuir?o mais retinol e imunoglobulina A secretora no colostro. Foram recrutadas 190 pu?rperas saud?veis em uma maternidade p?blica brasileira, que foram divididas segundo o ponto de corte para retinol s?rico (30 &#956;g/dL). 118 delas foram suplementadas com uma dose de 200000 UI (60 mg) de palmitato de retinila no p?s-parto imediato. Foram coletados soro e colostro no 1? dia p?s-parto e colostro novamente no dia seguinte. O retinol (soro e colostro) foi analisado por cromatografia l?quida de alta efici?ncia e a SIgA (colostro) por turbidimetria. As m?es apresentaram estado nutricional bioqu?mico adequado segundo retinol s?rico (44,6 &#956;g/dL). Houve diferen?as significativas (p= 0,0017 e p= 0,043, respectivamente) nos n?veis de retinol e SIgA no colostro de m?es com retinol s?rico > 30 &#956;g/dL e < 30 &#956;g/dL. A concentra??o de SIgA no colostro das m?es n?o suplementadas, no 1?dia p?s-parto, foi de 822,6 mg/dL, decrescendo, ap?s 24 horas, para 343,7 mg/dL. As m?es suplementadas apresentaram n?veis de SIgA no colostro de 498,9 mg/dL no 2? dia p?s-parto (p= 0,00006). O colostro de mulheres com bom estado nutricional em vitamina A possuem mais retinol e SIgA. Al?m disso, a suplementa??o materna aumenta os n?veis de SIgA no colostro. Os n?veis superiores de SIgA no 1? dia p?s-parto evidenciam a import?ncia da amamenta??o precoce, pois isso garante benef?cios imunol?gicos consider?veis ao rec?m-nascido

Parmi les cinq isotypes d’anticorps présents chez l’Homme, les immunoglobulines A (IgA) prédominent dans les muqueuses. Les IgA sont produites dans le chorion sous forme majoritairement polymérique (pIgA) et sécrétées dans la lumière des muqueuses. Leur transport trans-épithélial est assuré par le récepteur aux immunoglobulines polymériques (pIgR), exprimé au pôle basal des épithéliums. Les pIgA ainsi sécrétées conservent le domaine extracellulaire du pIgR et sont appelées IgA sécrétoires (SIgA). Une fonction essentielle des SIgA intestinales est de maintenir microorganismes et antigènes alimentaires dans la lumière des muqueuses afin d’empêcher leur pénétration dans l'organisme. Néanmoins, la transcytose inverse des SIgA couplées à des bactéries a été décrite dans les plaques de Peyer où elle participe à la génération de la réponse immune contre ces bactéries. En outre, les travaux passés du laboratoire ont suggéré que le récepteur de la transferrine (CD71), surexprimé au pôle apical des entérocytes chez les patients cœliaques, interagit avec les SIgA couplées à des peptides de gliadines et permet leur transcytose inverse à travers l’épithélium intestinal. Ce travail de thèse a eu pour objectif de mieux caractériser l’interaction SIgA-CD71 dans les entérocytes humains. Dans un premier temps, nous avons utilisé la technologie CRISPR-Cas9 pour générer une lignée cellulaire intestinale humaine (Caco-2 TC7) dépourvue du récepteur CD71 (CD71KO). De manière inattendue, nous n’avons observé aucune altération de la fixation des SIgA sur les cellules Caco-2 CD71KO. Ce résultat nous a amenés à réévaluer le rôle de CD71 comme récepteur aux SIgA. Dans un second temps, nous avons vérifié et confirmé que les SIgA interagissent avec CD71, mais nous avons montré que cette interaction est indirecte. Nous avons ensuite criblé les récepteurs aux IgA déjà décrits dans la littérature et montré qu'aucun n'est responsable de la fixation des SIgA à la surface des cellules Caco-2 TC7. Ces résultats nous ont amenés à chercher le(s) autre(s) partenaire(s) du complexe SIgA-CD71. Par immunoprécipitation couplée à la spectrométrie de masse, nous avons identifié les protéines Secretory Carrier Membrane Protein 3 (SCAMP3), B-Cell Receptor-Associated Protein 31 (BCAP31) et Histocompatibility minor 13 (HM13) comme membres du complexe SIgA-CD71. En nous appuyant à nouveau sur la technologie CRIPSR-Cas9, nous avons montré qu’aucun de ses partenaires n’interagit directement avec les SIgA. Néanmoins, nos résultats suggèrent que SCAMP3 est nécessaire à l’oligomérisation de surface des complexes de fixation des SIgA. Enfin, l’internalisation des SIgA n'est pas altérée par l’absence de chacun des partenaires du complexe, suggérant que leur rôle advient durant le transport trans-épithélial des SIgA. L’ensemble de nos travaux montre que les SIgA interagissent avec l'épithélium intestinal via un complexe protéique composé d'au moins cinq membres : CD71, SCAMP3, BCAP31, HM13 et le(s) récepteur(s) inconnu(s) aux SIgA. Ces résultats complètent les travaux antérieurs sur le rôle physiopathologique des SIgA dans la maladie cœliaque et contribuent à souligner la complexité des interactions entre IgA et entérocytes. Une question importante sera d’identifier le(s) récepteur(s) aux SIgA et de déterminer le rôle des partenaires identifiés dans la transcytose inverse des SIgA par l’entérocyte. / Among the five isotypes of antibodies found in Humans, immunoglobulins A (IgA) are the most abundant in the mucosae. In the lamina propria, IgA are produced mainly as polymeric IgA (pIgA) and then secreted in the lumen. In fact, pIgA are translocated across the epithelium via the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which is expressed at the basolateral side of the epithelium. Once secreted in the lumen, pIgA retain the extracellular domain of the pIgR and are called secretory IgA (SIgA). One of the main functions of intestinal SIgA is to restrain microorganisms and dietary antigens in the lumen, therefore, preventing their uptake through the epithelial barrier. However, retrotranscytosis of SIgA conjugated to bacteria has been described in Peyer’s patches where it participates to immune response. Moreover, previous works from the laboratory have suggested that transferrin receptor (CD71), which is overexpressed at the apical side of enterocytes from coeliac patients, interacts with SIgA bound to gliadin peptides and allows their retrotranscytosis across the intestinal epithelium. This thesis work aimed to further characterize the interaction between SIgA and CD71 in human enterocytes. We, first, generated a human epithelial intestinal cell line (Caco-2 TC7) devoid of CD71 expression (CD71KO) using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method. Unexpectedly, flow cytometry experiments did not reveal a significant reduction of SIgA binding at the cell surface of CD71KO cells. Overall, our results indicated that CD71-SIgA interaction is indirect and may occur via additional protein partners through the assembly of a multifactorial protein complex. Therefore, we screened IgA receptors already known in the literature and showed that all are dispensable for SIgA binding at the surface of Caco-2 TC7 cells. In the effort to identify partner(s) within SIgA-CD71 complex, we set out mass spectrometry-based immunoprecipitation proteomics experiments and identified secretory carrier membrane protein 3 (SCAMP3), B-cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BCAP31) and histocompatibility minor 13 (HM13) as members of SIgA-CD71 complex. By generating knockout cell lines with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we showed that none of these partners directly interacts with SIgA. However, our results suggest that SCAMP3 is required for the oligomerization of SIgA complexes at cell surface. Finally, we did not find any role in SIgA internalization for the different members of the complex, suggesting that they may play a role later on during SIgA retrotranscytosis. In conclusion, our work shows that SIgA interact with the intestinal epithelium via a proteic complex composed of at least five members: CD71, SCAMP3, BCAP31, HM13 and one or more unknown SIgA receptor(s). These results complement the previous works on the pathophysiologic role of SIgA in coeliac disease and underline the highly complex interaction between IgA and enterocytes. An important point to address will be to identify SIgA receptor(s) and to determine the role of the four other identified partners in SIgA retrotranscytosis across the intestinal epithelium.

A diarréia por rotavírus tem sido umas das principais causas de mortalidade infantil. Pesquisas, que relatam a presença de IgA no leite e colostro humanos reativos com o rotavírus. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a presença de anticorpos IgA anti-G3P[2] em amostras de leite e colostro e anti-G9P[8] em amostras de leite pela técnica de ELISA, verificar sua capacidade neutralizante e analisar a reatividade pelo Immunoblotting. Todas as amostras apresentaram anticorpos detectados pelo ELISA e neutralização do vírus G3P[2] e G9P[8]. Não foi observada correlação entre os títulos de ELISA e os neutralizantes para G3P[2], mas para o sorotipo G9P[8] foi possível estabelecer uma correlação significante. As amostras reconheceram frações do antígeno viral no ensaio de Immunoblotting, mas não foi possível estabelecer uma correlação entre altos títulos e alguma fração antigênica específica. Este trabalho fornece subsídios para avaliações das estratégias de vacinação. / The rotavirus diarrhea is one of the main causes of infant mortality. Studies have shown the presence of IgA in milk and colostrum reactive with human rotavirus. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of IgA anti-G3P[2] in milk and colostrum samples and anti-G9P[8] in milk ones, evaluate the IgA reactivity by ELISA and evaluate the IgA reactivity by immunoblotting. In addition, this work aimed to verify the neutralizing all titles of the samples. All of them had antibodies reactive with G3P[2] and G9P[8] and showed varied neutralization titles. There was a significant correlation between anti-G9P[8] IgA titers and the neutralizing ones, but the same was not observed for serotype G3P[2]. All samples recognized some viral antigenic fraction in immunoblotting test, but it was not possible establish a correlation between high antibodies levels and some specific antigenic fraction. This approach may be important for studies concerning vaccination strategies.

A diarréia por rotavírus tem sido umas das principais causas de mortalidade infantil. Pesquisas, que relatam a presença de IgA no leite e colostro humanos reativos com o rotavírus. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a presença de anticorpos IgA anti-G3P[2] em amostras de leite e colostro e anti-G9P[8] em amostras de leite pela técnica de ELISA, verificar sua capacidade neutralizante e analisar a reatividade pelo Immunoblotting. Todas as amostras apresentaram anticorpos detectados pelo ELISA e neutralização do vírus G3P[2] e G9P[8]. Não foi observada correlação entre os títulos de ELISA e os neutralizantes para G3P[2], mas para o sorotipo G9P[8] foi possível estabelecer uma correlação significante. As amostras reconheceram frações do antígeno viral no ensaio de Immunoblotting, mas não foi possível estabelecer uma correlação entre altos títulos e alguma fração antigênica específica. Este trabalho fornece subsídios para avaliações das estratégias de vacinação. / The rotavirus diarrhea is one of the main causes of infant mortality. Studies have shown the presence of IgA in milk and colostrum reactive with human rotavirus. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of IgA anti-G3P[2] in milk and colostrum samples and anti-G9P[8] in milk ones, evaluate the IgA reactivity by ELISA and evaluate the IgA reactivity by immunoblotting. In addition, this work aimed to verify the neutralizing all titles of the samples. All of them had antibodies reactive with G3P[2] and G9P[8] and showed varied neutralization titles. There was a significant correlation between anti-G9P[8] IgA titers and the neutralizing ones, but the same was not observed for serotype G3P[2]. All samples recognized some viral antigenic fraction in immunoblotting test, but it was not possible establish a correlation between high antibodies levels and some specific antigenic fraction. This approach may be important for studies concerning vaccination strategies.

Post-exercise carbohydrate-protein consumption and tapering periods during training periodisation have been proposed as effective recovery strategies in several sports; however, limited attention has been given to judo. Apart from training and recovery, effective competition performance can also be influenced by several stimuli on the competition day, which may be manifested as distinct endocrine responses. The main objective of this thesis was to influence effective competition performance in judo, through examining strategies that can aid recovery from intense exercise/training and examining endocrine responses to competition. Three experimental studies on recovery were completed (chapters 3-5) followed by an observational study on a judo competition day (chapter 6) in elite, national level, male judo athletes. Studies 1 and 2 examined the effects 1000 ml of post-exercise chocolate milk (CM) consumption compared with water (W) following an intense judo training session (chapter 3) and five days of intense judo training with concomitant weight loss (chapter 4) on the recovery of salivary cortisol (sC), salivary testosterone (sT), salivary testosterone:cortisol (sT/C) ratio, salivary secretory IgA (SIgA) absolute concentrations and secretion rate, muscle soreness, mood state and judo-related performance. Study 1 (n=10) did not show any beneficial effects of acute CM consumption on aspects of recovery of any of the measured variables, except for a lower perception of soreness (p<0.05) and a tendency for better push-up performance (p=0.09). Study 2 (n=12) showed that post-exercise CM consumption resulted in significantly lower sC levels, a tendency for higher sT/C ratio (p=0.07), better judo-related performance, lower muscle soreness and reduced mood disturbance (p<0.05) with W. In addition, post-exercise consumption of CM resulted in a 1.1% decrease in body weight, indicating that CM is an effective recovery beverage during periods of intense judo training without affecting intentional weight loss. Study 3 (n=11) examined the effects of a 2-week exponential taper following 2 weeks of intense judo training on recovery of the aforementioned variables. Within 12 days of tapering there were evidence of enhanced performance, lower sC, higher sT and higher sT/C ratio, higher SIgA secretion rate, lower muscle soreness and reduced mood disturbance, indicating that a tapering period of ~10 days is an effective recovery strategy for optimising judo performance. Study 4 observed the responses of sC, sT, SIgA absolute concentrations and SIgA secretion rate and self-measured anxiety state in the winners (n=12) and losers (n=11) of a judo competition. Winners presented significantly higher morning sC levels and higher cognitive anxiety in anticipation of the competition, as well as a tendency for higher SIgA secretion rate (p=0.07) and significantly higher saliva flow rate mid-competition. These findings indicate that winners experienced higher arousal levels and that anticipatory sC might have some predictive value for winning performance in judo. This thesis concludes that nutrition and tapering are both important aspects of effective recovery; CM can be an effective nutritional recovery aid during periods of intense judo training and tapering for 7-12 days can optimise judo performance and can be implemented prior to competitions. In addition, elevated sC levels in anticipation of a judo competition and higher levels of arousal could have some predictive value for winning performance in judo. Further research could focus on strategies to increase levels of arousal in anticipation of competition.