Evaluation of Soluble Neuropilin-1 Levels in Patients with Periodontitis: A Case-Control Study

To evaluate salivary soluble neuropilin-1 (sNRP-1) levels in patients with stage I-II periodontitis and periodontally healthy patients at baseline and 3 months.

A total of 48 subjects were recruited for the study, including 24 individuals diagnosed with stage I-II periodontitis (characterized by clinical attachment loss (CAL) of 1-4 mm and probing depth ≤5 mm) and 24 periodontally healthy individuals. Group A, comprising systemically healthy individuals with periodontitis, received scaling and root planing (SRP), whereas group B, consisting of systemically and periodontally healthy controls, underwent scaling at baseline. Oral hygiene instructions were reinforced for both groups during follow-up visits at 1 and 3 months. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline, first, and third months: Plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (MGI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and CAL. Saliva was collected at baseline and the end of the third month for evaluating the salivary sNRP-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were collected and analyzed. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean values between the two groups, while the Chi-square test was employed to assess differences in the distribution of categorical variables.

On intergroup comparison of PI, SBI, and MGI do not show significant differences, whereas PPD and CAL show significant differences. The mean score for sNRP-1 levels (pg/mL) at baseline for group A and B were 1182.35 ± 103.3 and 421.84 ± 230.8, and at the end of the study period were 316.13 ± 212.51 and 214.86 ± 101.36, respectively. In comparison to intragroup changes, sNRP1 levels were significantly higher in the diseased group than in the healthy group (p < 0.05).

Within the limits of the study, salivary sNRP-1 levels showed significant intragroup changes in both groups; however, intergroup comparison revealed a more pronounced reduction in biomarker levels in the periodontitis group compared to the healthy group. Clinical significance of the study: Evaluating salivary biomarkers such as sNRP-1 provides a non-invasive, early diagnostic tool for detecting periodontal disease activity. Comparing levels in periodontitis patients and healthy individuals helps to identify potential markers of disease severity and progression. This can improve early detection, enable timely interventions, and support personalized periodontal therapy, which can prevent further destruction of the periodontal structures, causing loss of teeth. How to cite this article: Pamei LT, Pandey R, Palwankar P, et al. Evaluation of Soluble Neuropilin-1 Levels in Patients with Periodontitis: A Case-Control Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(7):668-673.