Impact of Antimicrobial Peptides in Saliva on Oral Biofilm Regulation and Caries Susceptibility
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic oral diseases, which is related to biofilm activity and host defense. The current study aimed at investigating the connection between salivary antimicrobial peptides (AMPs,) oral biofilm burden, and caries vulnerability. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at tertiary care dental hospitals in Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan from March 2023 to August 2023. Total 120 healthy adults aged 18-35 years were included through consecutive non-probability sampling, and divided into two groups, (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) DMFT = 0) and DMFT =5. Quantification of cathelicidin (LL -37), Human Beta-Defensin-2 (hBD -2)s and histatin -5 in unstimulated saliva samples was performed through Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Automated Commercial Robotic Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of oral biofilm extracts on total bacterial load and enumeration of Streptococcus mutans was done. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were analyzed in SPSS v26.0 with the p-value<0.05. Results: The mean salivary concentrations of LL-37 (p < 0.001), hBD-2 (p < 0.001) and histatin-5 (p < 0.001) were significantly low in participants in the high-caries group. Strong inverse correlations were observed between the AMP concentrations and the bacterial load and DMFT scores: LL-37 (r =-0.61, p <0.001), hBD-2 (r =-0.53, p <0.001), and histatin-5 (r =-0.64, p <0.001). These results indicate that lower levels of AMP accompany greater accumulation of microbial and caries severity. Conclusion: Reduction in salivary levels of AMP is strongly linked with an increased occurrence of oral biofilm and caries vulnerability. Periodic assessment of AMP levels may help to detect people at risk and shape the preventive oral health interventions.
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7155501455
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