The salivary metabolomics analyses reveal the variable metabolites in distinct staging of periodontitis.

Abstract

Objective: Saliva, which is a critical component of the oral ecosystem, undergoes dynamic changes, particularly during the onset and progression of periodontitis.

Subjects and methods: This study used Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), a reliable and high-throughput tool for metabolomic analysis, to detect salivary metabolic shifts across various stages of periodontitis (T1-T4). We compared differential changes in metabolites between the HC and T1 groups, the T1 and T2 groups, the T2 and T3 groups, and the T3 and T4 groups.

Results: By analysing saliva samples from 116 individuals-10 healthy controls (HC) and 106 patients with periodontitis across stages T1 (22 individuals) to T4 (28 individuals), we identified differential metabolites including Glucose, 3-Aminobutanoic Acid, N-(1-Cyclopropylethyl) Aniline, and Methylmalonic Acid. Compared to HC, the metabolites in patients with periodontitis exhibited progressive concentration changes correlating with the severity of the disease. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis was used to elucidate the metabolic pathways involved in the development of periodontitis.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the potential of salivary metabolites as biomarkers for monitoring periodontitis progression and offer valuable insights into its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.