Salivary Gasdermin E and Granzyme B Levels in Patients With Periodontitis

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged 18 to 65 years
• Presence of at least 20 natural teeth, excluding third molars
• Being systemically healthy
• Provision of written informed consent
• For the periodontitis group, diagnosis of generalized Stage III Grade B periodontitis according to the 2017 AAP/EFP classification
• Clinical attachment loss of at least 2 mm at two or more non-adjacent teeth for the periodontitis group
• Interdental clinical attachment loss of at least 5 mm and periodontitis-related loss of no more than four teeth for Stage III periodontitis
• A radiographic bone loss-to-age ratio between 0.25 and 1.00 for Grade B periodontitis
• For the healthy control group, an intact periodontium, probing depth of 3 mm or less, and bleeding on probing at less than 10% of sites

Exclusion criteria

• Use of antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, anticoagulants, or hormonal contraceptives within the previous 3 months
• Periodontal treatment within the previous 6 months
• Surgical periodontal treatment within the previous 12 months
• Current smoking
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Presence of any neurological, autoimmune, metabolic, inflammatory, or other systemic condition that could affect the immune response
• Use of an orthodontic appliance