Circulating undercarboxylated osteocalcin and gingival crevicular fluid tumour necrosis factor-α in children

Khady Kâ1, Marie-Claude Rousseau, Simon D Tran

  • 1Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, INRS-Armand-Frappier Institute, Laval, QC, Canada.

Insights

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), a bone formation marker, is linked to reduced gingival inflammation (GCF TNF-α) in children. This suggests early childhood links between bone health and gum disease markers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Periodontology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Osteocalcin, a bone formation protein, shows a negative association with adult periodontal disease.
  • The relationship between osteocalcin and periodontal disease in children remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and gingival crevicular fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha (GCF TNF-α) in children.
  • To assess ucOC as a potential indicator of gingival inflammation in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of 120 Caucasian children aged 8-10 years from the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth cohort.
  • Measurement of plasma ucOC and GCF TNF-α levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  • Linear regression analyses adjusted for various covariates including age, obesity, and physical activity.

Main Results:

  • A statistically significant negative association was found between ucOC and GCF TNF-α levels.
  • Each 1-ng/ml increase in ucOC was associated with a 0.96% decrease in GCF TNF-α (95% CI: -1.69, -0.23).

Conclusions:

  • A negative association between a bone formation marker (ucOC) and a gingival inflammation marker (GCF TNF-α) is evident in childhood.
  • Findings suggest potential early links between bone metabolism and periodontal health in at-risk pediatric populations.
Abstract

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