Low AMY1 Gene Copy Numbers in Saliva Are Associated with Reduced Dental Caries Experience in Obese Adults.

IF 2.5 2区医学 Q1 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Caries Research Pub Date : 2026-03-09 DOI:10.1159/000551203

Synnøve Bække, Natalia Petrenya, Berit Tommeras, Tracy Munthali Lunde, Elin Hadler-Olsen, Rania Al-Mahdi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests that a low copy number (CN) (2-3) of the α-amylase 1 gene (AMY1) may reduce the risk of dental caries, although findings remain inconsistent. Variations observed between studies could potentially be explained by the modulation of third factors, such as obesity, which may amplify the cariogenic potential of high AMY1 CN. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between AMY1 gene CN variation (CNV) and dental caries experience, assessed with the Decayed and Filled Surfaces (DFS) index in young adults, and whether this association varied by obesity status.

Methods: A total of 597 participants (52.4% female, aged 26-29 years) from the Norwegian Fit Futures 3 study (2021-2022) were included. Salivary AMY1 CN was measured using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. We analysed AMY1 CN as both continuous and categorical variables (2-3 [17%], 4-6 [53%], and 7-14 [30%] CN) using logistic regression.

Results: Although AMY1 CN alone was not associated with DFS, its interaction with obesity was significant (p = 0.036). Among obese individuals, a one-unit increase in AMY1 CN raised the probability of DFS ≥9 by 4.7 percentage points, with no association observed in non-obese individuals. In obese participants (n = 103), sex-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for DFS ≥9 were as follows: OR 1.25 (95% CI: 1.02-1.53) per unit increase in AMY1 CN; OR 3.47 (95% CI: 1.23-9.79) for 4-6 versus 2-3 CN, and OR 4.48 (95% CI: 1.35-14.89) for 7-14 versus 2-3 CN.

Conclusion: This study found that AMY1 gene CN alone was not directly associated with dental caries in young adults. However, obesity was identified as an effect modifier in the relationship between salivary AMY1 CNV and dental caries experience. Specifically, dental caries experience was higher in obese individuals with above-average AMY1 CN. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic, metabolic, and behavioural factors in dental caries development. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to explore the underlying mechanisms of this interaction.

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唾液中AMY1基因拷贝数低与肥胖成年人患龋齿的经历减少有关。

有证据表明，α-淀粉酶1基因（AMY1）拷贝数低（CN）（2-3）可能降低龋齿的风险，尽管研究结果仍不一致。研究之间观察到的差异可能被第三个因素的调节所解释，如肥胖，这可能会放大高AMY1 CN的致龋潜力。这项横断面研究探讨了AMY1基因CN变异（CNV）与龋齿经历之间的关系，用年轻人的龋坏和填充表面（DFS）指数进行评估，以及这种关联是否因肥胖状况而异。方法纳入挪威Fit Futures 3研究（2021-2022）的597名参与者（52.4%为女性，年龄26 - 29岁）。采用液滴数字聚合酶链反应（ddPCR）检测唾液AMY1 CN。肥胖定义为BMI≥30 kg/m²。我们使用逻辑回归分析了AMY1 CN作为连续变量和分类变量(2-3（17%),4-6（53%）和7-14 (30%)CN）。结果AMY1 CN与DFS无相关性，但与肥胖的交互作用显著（p = 0.036）。在肥胖个体中，AMY1 CN每增加一个单位，DFS≥9的概率提高4.7个百分点，而在非肥胖个体中没有观察到相关。在肥胖参与者（n = 103）中，DFS≥9的性别校正比值比（OR）如下：AMY1 CN每单位增加的OR为1.25 (95% CI: 1.01-1.53)；4-6和2-3 CN的OR为3.47 (95% CI: 1.23-9.79)， 7-14和2-3 CN的OR为4.48 （95% CI: 1.35-14.89）。结论本研究发现AMY1基因CN单独与青年龋病无直接关系。然而，肥胖被确定为唾液AMY1 CNV与龋齿经历之间关系的影响调节因子。具体来说，AMY1 CN高于平均水平的肥胖个体患龋齿的几率更高。这些发现强调了遗传、代谢和行为因素在龋齿发展中的复杂相互作用。需要进一步的研究来证实这些结果，并探索这种相互作用的潜在机制。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Caries Research 医学-牙科与口腔外科

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

7.10%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： ''Caries Research'' publishes epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies in dental caries, erosion and related dental diseases. Some studies build on the considerable advances already made in caries prevention, e.g. through fluoride application. Some aim to improve understanding of the increasingly important problem of dental erosion and the associated tooth wear process. Others monitor the changing pattern of caries in different populations, explore improved methods of diagnosis or evaluate methods of prevention or treatment. The broad coverage of current research has given the journal an international reputation as an indispensable source for both basic scientists and clinicians engaged in understanding, investigating and preventing dental disease.