TNF and periodontitis: It has been reported that salivary visfatin levels increase in patients with periodontal disease and that there is a relationship between salivary visfatin concentration and periodontal infection.24 A recent study reported significantly higher expression of visfatin, NF-κB, PI3k, TNF-α, and IL-1β in gingivitis and periodontitis groups compared to healthy individuals.25 These authors suggest that increased visfatin levels play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.