Novel biomarkers of periodontitis and/or obesity in saliva—An exploratory analysis

• Levels of novel biomarkers were detectable in saliva periodontal recall patients.
• Select biomarker levels correlate with periodontal and select obesity measures.
• Correlations did not remain significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons.
• Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

ObjectiveRecent studies point to the clinical and research utility of saliva as a valuable diagnostic aid for monitoring periodontal health. The objectives of this study were to detect novel biomarkers attributed to chronic inflammation in saliva and to determine if the levels of these markers correlate with severity of periodontitis and with standard obesity measures in participants in a periodontal maintenance program.DesignIn this cross-sectional assessment of 63 participants, unstimulated whole saliva was collected after recording anthropometric and clinical parameters of obesity and periodontitis, respectively. The levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), sCD40L, granzyme B and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in saliva were determined using multiplex proteomic immunoassays. The correlation between the four tested biomarker concentrations and obesity/periodontal measures was determined.ResultsPositive correlation between fat% and granzyme B levels (r = 0.292; p = 0.020) and negative correlation between BMI and sCD40L (r = 0.256; p = 0.043) was observed. In addition, positive correlation between severity of periodontal disease and levels of IL1-ra (r = 0.253; p = 0.046) and negative correlation between periodontitis severity and sCD40L salivary levels (r = 0.272; p = 0.031) was noted. None of the above correlations remained statistically significant after multiple comparisons adjustment. After adjustment for clinical covariates, the relationship between sCD40L and periodontal severity remained suggestive (p = 0.081).ConclusionsLevels of four novel biomarkers of periodontitis were detectable in saliva of subjects enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes and other populations are warranted to explore the diagnostic applicability of these markers.