ORIGINAL ARTICLE Bali Medical Journal (Bali Med J) 2018, Volume 7, Number 3: 727-731 P-ISSN.2089-1180, E-ISSN.2302-2914 727 Open access: www.balimedicaljournal.org and ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/bmj CrossMark Published by DiscoverSys ABSTRACT Introduction: Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is an antibody that plays an important role in mucosal immunity by blockading epithelial receptors inhibiting the attachment of pathogenic bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans to epithelial cells. Lactobacillus is one of the bacteria contained in probiotics, which can increase the proliferation of SIgA-producing cells. This study aims to determine the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus casei supplementation on increasing SIgA levels in saliva of wistar rats. Methods: This study used a laboratory prospective experimental research design, with a simple randomized design in which thirty- six male wistar rats were adapted for 7 days. After adaptation, the experimental animals that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups randomly, i.e., the treatment group who received probiotic supplement Lactobacillus casei 1.17ml / 200gBW twice daily, and the control group receiving only standard water and food, the intervention was performed for 14 days. Examination of SIgA levels in saliva was conducted with ELISA. Results: Based on Mann-Whitney analysis, the results showed significant differences in SIgA levels between treatment and control groups with median SIgA values of 26.668 ng /ml and 4,463 ng/ml, with p values being 0.033 (p <0.05). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation of Lactobacillus casei could increase SIgA levels in saliva of wistar rats. Keywords: Probiotic Lactobacillus casei, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), Streptococcus mutans Cite This Article: Hayati, M., Herman, H., Rezano, A. 2018. The effect of probiotic Lactobacillus casei supplementation on the secretory immunoglobulin A level in the saliva of wistar rats. Bali Medical Journal 7(3): 727-731. DOI:10.15562/bmj.v7i3.1171 The effect of probiotic Lactobacillus casei supplementation on the secretory immunoglobulin A level in the saliva of wistar rats Maulida Hayati, 1 Herry Herman, 2 Andri Rezano 3 INTRODUCTION Te ability of a bacterium to form complex multi- dimensional structures or bioflms plays an import- ant role in some diseases. Te most common disease found in the oral cavity is dental caries. Streptococcus mutans are one of many etiological factors of dental caries disease. Tese bacteria can acquire new properties for the determinants of pathogenic expression that determine their viru- lence under certain conditions. Trough the adhe- sion mechanism to the solid surface, Streptococcus mutans can colonize within the oral cavity and form a bacterial bioflm. Also, these bacteria are also able to survive in acidic environmental conditions and interact with other specifc microorganisms in the oral cavity. 1 Te cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans are derived from the enzyme glucosyltrans- ferase. Tis enzyme has virulence factor in patho- genesis caries, because it can convert sucrose to glucan. Glucan is a component of the dental plaque matrix structure and serves as an early bacterial attachment medium on the tooth surface, facilitat- ing bacterial accumulation and as a source of extra- cellular polysaccharide reserves. 1,2 Another protein produced by Streptococcus mutans is the glucan binding protein. Tis protein serves to bind the glucan in bacteria, thus contrib- uting to the adhesion of microorganisms and the formation of bioflms. Also, Streptococcus mutans are also known to have surface proteins called antigen I/II (Ag I/II), that have adhesive properties and play a role in the attachment of Streptococcus mutans with acquired pellicles on tooth surfaces. 3 A mucosal barrier is a form of innate immune system in the oral cavity. Antibodies or immu- noglobulins are adaptive immune systems that provide the body’s defense against various patho- genic microorganisms. Secretion immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is a major class of antibodies contained in secretions of body fuids such as saliva, tears and mucus from the digestive tract. Secretion immu- noglobulin A is the dominant adaptive immune defense in the oral cavity. Tese immunoglobulins can inhibit the attachment of Streptococcus to oral mucosal epithelial cells, agglutinate bacteria, neutralize pathogens in the oral cavity and serve as a mucosal barrier and macrophage activation. 4-6 Te use of antibiotics in treating infamma- tion caused by infection of the teeth, causes many adverse efects to the human body. Te adverse efects of current use of antibiotics include the emergence of allergic reactions, toxicity, bacterial 1 Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Baiturrahmah 2,3 Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University * Correspondence to: Maulida Hayati, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Baiturrahmah, Padang- Indonesia maulidahayati81@gmail.com Received: 2018-05-08 Accepted: 2018-7-20 Published: 2018-9-1