Table 1.

Antimicrobial proteins and hormones measured and functions

Salivary Biomarker	Clinical Significance	References
α-Amylase	Growth inhibitory element for bacteria; measure of sympathetic-adrenal-medullary activation	(26, 53, 54)
CRP	Increased levels can indicate inflammation or tissue damage	(22, 38)
Cortisol	Key role in stress response; reflects HPA activity, can have immunosuppressive effects	(22, 42, 54)
DHEA	Antiglucocorticoid properties; counterbalances negative effects of cortisol	(42, 55)
Cortisol-to-DHEA ratio	Opposing effects (dualistic balance); higher levels can indicate immune dysregulation	(37, 42, 55)
HNP 1–3	Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cationic properties	(3, 26)
Lactoferrin	Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral; blocks LPS; cationic properties	(26, 53)
LL-37	Antibacterial; immune modulating activity; cationic properties	(21, 26)
Lysozyme	Antibacterial; inactivates viruses	(26, 53)
sIgA	Main immunoglobulin in mucus secretions; immune cell activation, immune exclusion	(26, 53)

CRP, C-reactive protein; DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; sIgA, salivary secretory IgA.