TBC1D15 / Rab7 / Fis1 Pathway in Periodontal Disease

This study will examine the levels of certain proteins in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of individuals with healthy gingiva, gingivitis (mild gum inflammation), or periodontitis (more severe gum disease). The proteins to be studied, TBC1D15, Rab7, and Fis1, are known to play roles in mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, processes closely linked to cellular energy metabolism and cell health, but their role in periodontal disease is not well understood.

Seventy-two healthy adults will be grouped according to their periodontal health status, and GCF samples will be collected and analyzed from each participant. Researchers will measure the levels of these proteins and look for patterns linking them to the severity of gum disease.

The results are expected to show whether TBC1D15, Rab7, and Fis1 levels differ in individuals with periodontitis compared to those with healthy gingiva, suggesting that these proteins may contribute to the development and progression of periodontal disease through mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulated mitophagy. This information may help researchers better understand the biological processes underlying periodontal disease and could eventually contribute to new approaches for its detection or treatment.

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

for the Healthy Control group:

• presence of ≥ 20 teeth in the mouth-probing pocket depth (PPD) ≤ 3 mm
• the percentage of bleeding sites for the whole mouth < 10%, on radiographic examination
• a distance of ≤ 3 mm between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest in 95% of all teeth.

Inclusion criteria

for the Gingivitis group:

• presence of ≥ 20 teeth in the mouth
• PPD ≤ 3 mm,

-% of bleeding sites for the whole mouth ≥ 10%,

• on radiographic examination, a distance of ≤ 3 mm between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest in 95% of all teeth.

Inclusion criteria

for the Stage 3 Periodontitis group:

• presence of ≥ 15 teeth in the mouth
• more than 30% of teeth affected by periodontal disease
• affected teeth exhibiting probing depths of 6 mm or more
• clinical attachment loss (CAL) of ≥ 5 mm,
• vertical bone loss of 3 mm or more
• class 2 or 3 furcation involvement
• radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss extending to the middle third and beyond (33%) in the relevant teeth

Exclusion criteria

• presence of any systemic disease
• regular use of any medication
• pregnancy or lactation
• periodontal treatment within the last 6 months
• antibiotic use within the last 6 months
• the presence of prosthetic restorations on the teeth to be sampled