Salivary levels of BAFF, TWEAK, and soluble CD163 and salivary arginase activity before and after periodontal treatment.

The decrease in salivary BAFF levels 2 weeks after periodontal treatment indicates a change in cell signaling toward limited B-cell activation. Decreasing arginase activity similarly reflects a significant reduction in inflammatory response. The reduction in sCD163 levels that are observed at 24 weeks may reflect a longstanding anti-inflammatory macrophage activation, given their multiple functions in immune response, inflammation, and healing.