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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Salivary neuropeptides, stress, and periodontitis
Hady Haririan1, Oleh Andrukhov2, Michael Böttcher3
1Division of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Scientific evidence for psychologic stress as a risk factor for periodontitis is fragmentary and relies mostly on either questionnaire-based or biomarker studies. The aim of this study is to investigate brain-derived neurotrophic factor, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), calcitonin gene-related peptide, and adrenomedullin as well as cortisol in saliva and serum in periodontal health and disease combined with different aspects of stress and possible associations with clinical parameters.
Methods:
In total, 56 patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis and 44 healthy controls were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mass spectrometry for presence of neuropeptides and cortisol in saliva and serum. Psychologic stress was evaluated by validated questionnaires. All substances were explored for a possible relationship to periodontitis, clinical parameters, and stress.
Results:
VIP and NPY showed significantly higher levels in saliva but not in serum of patients with periodontitis. These neuropeptides correlated with the extent, severity, and bleeding on probing scores in patients with periodontitis. Females had significantly lower salivary VIP levels. There were no differences among participants regarding psychologic stress.
Conclusion:
VIP and NPY in saliva could be potential sex-specific salivary biomarkers for periodontitis regardless of psychologic stress.
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