Colony stimulating factor-1 in saliva in relation to age, smoking, and oral and systemic diseases

Abstract

Colony stimulating factor (CSF)-1 is a growth factor that stimulates the survival, proliferation and differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes, which has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. This study evaluated the possible influence of age, sex, smoking, periodontitis, caries, and several systemic conditions on salivary levels of CSF-1. Four-hundred and forty-one individuals were enrolled in this study. All participants answered a health questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive oral examination. Stimulated saliva was collected and CSF-1 levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Salivary levels of CSF-1 were significantly increased in participants over 64 years old and in non-smoking individuals, whereas no difference was observed between men and women. Individuals having periodontitis and manifest caries had significantly higher levels of CSF-1. Participants with muscle and joint disease exhibited increased CSF-1 levels as compared to those without. Age, smoking, percentage of pockets ≥4 mm, number of manifest caries lesions, and presence of tumor were associated with CSF-1 levels. Salivary levels of CSF-1 are associated with age, smoking, periodontitis, manifest caries, and the presence of muscle and joint diseases and tumors. CSF-1 might be a promising biomarker candidate in saliva of both local and systemic conditions that needs further investigation.

Figure 1

Demographics of the study population. (A) Histogram of age (n = 441). (B) Sex (223 females and 218 males) and smoking distributions (75 smokers and 366 non-smokers). (C) Prevalence of systemic conditions: heart disease (n = 35), hypertension (n = 76), bowel disease (n = 31), muscle and joint disease (n = 102), mental illness (n = 26), tumor (n = 16), and diabetes (n = 16).

Figure 2

Salivary levels of CSF-1 in participants of different age groups. (A) CSF-1 levels in saliva of individuals <40 years (n = 150), 40–64 years (n = 199) and >64 years old (n = 90). *p-value < 0.05 (ANOVA with Bonferroni post-test). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. (B) Correlation scatterplot between CSF-1 levels and age (Pearson correlation).

Figure 3

Salivary levels of CSF-1 according to sex and smoking status. (A) CSF-1 levels in female (n = 221) and male participants (n = 218). (B) CSF-1 levels in smokers (n = 365) and non-smokers (n = 74). *p-value < 0.05 (Student’s t test) Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

Figure 4

Impact of periodontal status on salivary levels of CSF-1. (A) CSF-1 levels in participants with periodontitis (n = 220) and controls (n = 74). *p-value < 0.05 (Student’s t test). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. (B) Correlation scatterplots between CSF-1 levels and periodontal parameters (Pearson correlation).

Figure 5

Impact of cariological status on salivary levels of CSF-1. (A) CSF-1 levels in participants with no manifest caries lesions (MCL) (n = 299), MCL 1-2 (n = 102) and MCL ≥3 (n = 38). *p-value < 0.05 (ANOVA with Bonferroni post-test). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. (B) Correlation scatterplots between CSF-1 levels, cariological parameters and salivary flow rate (Pearson correlation).