Salivary mitofusin levels in periodontal disease: a cross-sectional case-control study
Ömer F Okumuş1, Nezahat Kurt2, Alpdoğan Kantarcı3,4
1Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Erzincan, Türkiye. okumus.omer24@gmail.com.
Background:
Mitofusin (Mfn) is a mitochondrial fusion protein. It has two isoforms (Mfn1 and 2) and is critical in intracellular energy production, calcium transfer, and phospholipid metabolism. Based on previous evidence linking mitochondrial function with the pathophysiology of periodontal inflammation, we hypothesized that salivary Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels may differ across periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis, and that these levels correlate with markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress. Although previous studies have suggested that Mfn2 plays a role in inflammatory and oxidative pathways, clinical evidence regarding its role in periodontal disease is lacking. The null hypothesis of this study was that salivary Mfn levels are not significantly altered with periodontal conditions and are not correlated with inflammation or oxidative stress markers in saliva.
Methods:
A total of 81 participants were included in this cross-sectional case-control study, with 27 individuals per group. Periodontally healthy patients, patients with gingivitis, and patients with stage 3 or stage 4 grade C periodontitis were recruited for the study. Mfn-1 and Mfn-2 levels were measured. To identify their correlation with inflammatory mechanisms, interleukin-1β levels, total oxidative status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric measurements. The oxidative stress index (OSİ) was calculated.
Results:
Salivary Mfn1 levels were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis compared to healthy controls (36.54 ± 13.15 ng/mL, 24.67 ± 8.69 ng/mL, p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of Mfn2 levels (p > 0.05). While significant differences were found between Group P and Group H in TAS and OSI values (p < 0.05), TOS values did not show any significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between Mfn1 and Mfn2 and IL-1β levels (p < 0.05). Mfn1 and Mfn2 did not have any significant correlation with TAS, TOS, or OSI values (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Elevated Mfn1 levels in the saliva of patients with periodontitis suggested that mitochondrial function was disrupted in severe periodontitis. Mitofusin levels showed no significant correlation with oxidative stress markers in this study.
Trial Registration:
This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT06510608 on July 18, 2024.
Insights
Salivary Mfn1 (Mitofusin 1) levels are significantly elevated in periodontitis patients, indicating disrupted mitochondrial function. Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels correlated with IL-1β but not oxidative stress markers in this periodontal disease study.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Periodontal medicine
- Biomarker discovery
Background:
- Mitofusins (Mfn1 and Mfn2) are critical mitochondrial fusion proteins involved in cellular energy and metabolism.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in periodontal inflammation.
- Previous research suggests Mfn2's role in inflammatory pathways, but clinical data in periodontal disease is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in salivary Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels across periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
- To determine correlations between salivary Mfn levels and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 81 participants (27 per group: healthy, gingivitis, periodontitis).
- Quantification of salivary Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels.
- Measurement of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), total oxidative status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS); calculation of oxidative stress index (OSI).
Main Results:
- Salivary Mfn1 levels were significantly higher in periodontitis patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
- Mfn2 levels did not differ significantly between groups.
- Mfn1 and Mfn2 showed a positive correlation with IL-1β levels (p < 0.05), but not with TAS, TOS, or OSI.
Conclusions:
- Elevated salivary Mfn1 in periodontitis suggests mitochondrial dysfunction in severe disease.
- Salivary Mfn levels did not correlate with measured oxidative stress markers in this study.
- Mfn1 may serve as a potential biomarker for periodontitis severity.
