Individuals experiencing periodontitis show changes in the levels of various proteins in their blood, as revealed by a recent study from Umeå University in Sweden. This research opens the door to exploring potential biomarkers for periodontitis and understanding the disease’s root causes. Approximately one in ten Swedes suffers from severe periodontitis, which not only leads to tooth loss but is also associated with other health conditions.
A recent study from Umeå University, Sweden, indicates that people with periodontitis exhibit altered levels of various proteins in their blood. This research could help identify biomarkers for periodontitis and provide insight into its underlying causes. Severe periodontitis affects about one in ten Swedes and can lead to tooth loss as well as other health-related issues.
“By determining the blood biomarkers crucial to the progression of severe periodontitis, we can move forward with research on medications that aim to slow down the disease,” explains Pernilla Lundberg, a periodontist and professor at the Department of Odontology at UmeÃ¥ University who led the study.
Periodontitis is characterized by gum inflammation that leads to the deterioration of supporting tissues around the teeth, which may ultimately cause tooth loss in severe cases. Furthermore, individuals with severe periodontitis have a higher likelihood of developing serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatism, although the reasons for these connections are still not fully understood.
The research team from Umeå University has found that individuals with periodontitis have a distinct inflammatory protein profile in their blood. The results suggest that severe periodontitis corresponds with significantly reduced levels of a protein known as epidermal growth factor (EGF), which plays a vital role in healing wounds. Additionally, levels of another protein, oxidized low-density lipoprotein 1 (OLR-1), associated with cardiovascular disease, are also markedly lower in those with severe periodontitis compared to healthy individuals.
Currently, one in ten Swedes suffers from severe periodontitis, a statistic that has not changed since the 1970s, despite significant efforts in preventive dental care and improvements in overall dental health. However, there are no existing methods to determine which individuals might be at risk for developing severe periodontitis.
“The large number of participants in our study provides us with robust results, and we can use this data to uncover additional insights,” says Pernilla Lundberg.
Earlier studies have indicated a strong genetic component to periodontitis, yet the specific genes involved have not been identified. Researchers at Umeå University are currently analyzing the DNA of all study participants to uncover genetic variations that could be linked to the onset of severe periodontitis. By integrating genetic and biological markers, it might be possible in the future to identify people at high risk of developing the disease. This approach could lead to personalized treatments targeting the specific factors that contribute to the development of periodontitis and its associated health risks.
The ongoing study, known as PerioGene North at Umeå University, is based on comprehensive data gathered from approximately 1,000 individuals within the Public Dental Service in the counties of Västerbotten and Gävleborg, collected between 2007 and 2019.
