Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurodevelopmental disorders and alterations in immune function and cytokine levels. The aim of this study is to determine the salivary levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Regulated on Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES), and Eotaxin in children with ASD and in healthy controlsto assess their predictive potential. We explored correlations between the cytokine levels and the neurodevelopmental disorders related to ASD. The study comprised 19 children with ASD and 19 typically developing (TD) ones. We analyzed salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, MCP-1, RANTES, and eotaxin on Luminex with custom-designed 7-plex kits. The level of RANTES in ASD children was significantly lower than those of TD. In TDs, the salivary levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and TNFα correlated positively with age. In ASD, the cytokine levels did not correlate with age. There were statistically significant differences between the RANTES level and aggression and gait disturbances, between IL-8 level and fixations/stimulations, and between IL-1β level and no active speech. The levels of the cytokine detected can manifest both systemic and local changes related to ASD. The cytokine pattern cannot be used as a sole ASD predictor, but the salivary levels may be helpful in categorizing the ASD subtype.

There have been numerous publications investigating the relationship between periodontitis (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so far. This publication presents the common risk factors for the development of PD and RA. The major impact of the pathological bacterial factor and cigarette smoking with chronic inflammation playing the key role in both diseases has been confirmed by numerous studies in various populations over the years. More research focuses nowadays also on the role of improper diet and obesity. Pathophysiological pathways, such as increased concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, indirectly affecting the cardiovascular complications and coagulation disorders, which has an impact on function disorders of tissue metalloproteinase inhibitors and the plasminogen activation system, were also researched. This systematic review of current literature has shown numerous discrepancies in previous analyses and the need for further detailed research on the relationship between periodontal status and RA.