Redox biomarkers in saliva and nuclear abnormalities in jugal epithelial cells of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis

Arch Oral Biol. 2024 May:161:105915. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.105915. Epub 2024 Feb 16.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate salivary redox biomarkers levels in individuals with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and correlate with periodontal parameters and nuclear alterations in epithelial cells from jugal mucosa.

Design: Sixty individuals were categorized into three groups: T2DM with periodontitis (DM, n = 20), non-T2DM with periodontitis (PE, n = 20), and non-T2DM with periodontal health (HC, n = 20). All participants underwent fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin measurements. After a periodontal examination, samples of epithelial cells from the jugal mucosa and saliva were collected. DNA damage was assessed by counting nuclear abnormalities using cytological analysis. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were determined through biochemical methods. Significant differences among groups were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, linear regression, and logistic regression.

Results: Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities, as well as levels of reduced glutathione and uric acid, were significantly higher in the DM group compared to the PE and HC groups (p < 0.05). Fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, nuclear abnormalities, reduced glutathione, and uric acid exhibited positive correlations with periodontal parameters (p < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced glutathione was associated with dental biofilm (OR = 1.027 [95% CI, 1.004-1.049]) and condensed chromatin (OR = 0.415 [95% CI, 0.196-0.878]).

Conclusions: Periodontitis and T2DM are correlated with nuclear abnormalities, as well as salivary reduced glutathione and uric acid levels. Moreover, a higher prevalence of teeth with dental biofilm increases the likelihood of elevated levels of reduced glutathione in saliva, while the presence of condensed chromatin decreases that likelihood.

Keywords: DNA damage; Oxidative stress; Periodontitis; Salivary biomarkers; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Chromatin
  • Chronic Periodontitis*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Glutathione
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Periodontitis* / complications
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Uric Acid / analysis

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Uric Acid
  • Glutathione
  • Chromatin
  • Biomarkers