Macrophage activating factor: A potential biomarker of periodontal health status

•Activated macrophages damage periodontal tissues in periodontitis.•MAF and MCF play important roles in macrophage function.•We assessed salivary MAF and MCF levels in periodontitis patients and controls.•MAF levels increase in saliva as periodontal disease.•Salivary MAF levels act as a biomarker of periodontal health status.

ObjectiveIn periodontitis, activated macrophages not only initiate immune responses to periodontal-pathogen infections, but also damage the periodontal tissues by releasing a series of inflammatory cytokines. Macrophage-activating factor (MAF) and macrophage-chemotactic factor (MCF) are two important mediators involved in macrophage accumulation, activation and function. This study analyzed the levels of salivary MAF and MCF in healthy individuals and those with different periodontal diseases, and assessed the usefulness of salivary MAF and MCF as diagnostic biomarkers in periodontal tissue health status.DesignNinety-five saliva specimens were collected from healthy individuals (n = 19), and patients with gingivitis (n = 19), mild periodontitis (n = 17), moderate periodontitis (n = 20), and severe periodontitis (n = 20). Pocket probing depth (PPD) and alveolar bone loss (ABL) were recorded via periodontal probing and dental radiography, respectively. Salivary MAF and MCF concentrations were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsMAF level tended to increase in saliva as periodontal diseases progressed (healthy periodontium < gingivitis < mild periodontitis < moderate periodontitis < severe periodontitis). The concentration of salivary MAF in periodontitis correlated positively with ABL (r = 0.758) and PPD (r = 0.779). In contrast, salivary MCF levels increased significantly only in periodontitis.ConclusionsSalivary MAF levels correlate positively with tissue destruction in periodontal diseases. It is a potential valuable biomarker that could be used to assess periodontal health status.