Significant Associations Between Blood Cell Counts and a Large Number of Salivary Cytokines, Chemokines, and Growth Factors

The association between local oral inflammation and cardiovascular risk has been extensively studied, with results indicating a bidirectional relationship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between blood cells and a large number of salivary cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. The study consisted of 165 individuals who were referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinic at Falun County hospital, Sweden, for surgical removal of impacted lower third molar. The study subjects did not have any known inflammatory disorders. Complete blood cell counts were analyzed using the routine laboratory at Falun Hospital, Falun, Sweden. Proteomic analysis of 92 inflammation-related protein biomarkers in saliva was performed using a multiplex proximity extension assay. After adjustment for multiplicity testing using the false discovery rate approach, there remained significant association between several saliva cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors and white blood cell counts (<i>n</i> = 19), neutrophil counts (<i>n</i> = 18), erythrocyte counts (<i>n</i> = 13), hemoglobin concentrations (<i>n</i> = 20), erythrocyte volume fractions (<i>n</i> = 22), and platelet counts (<i>n</i> = 12). There are several significant associations between local inflammatory cytokines in the oral cavity and blood cell parameters indicating a relationship between local and systemic inflammatory activity.