Differential Expression of Salivary Mucin and Total Protein in Periodontitis Patients Following Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy
A Comparative Clinical and Biochemical Study
Keywords:
Chronic periodontitis, Total protein., Salivary mucin
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated changes in salivary mucin and total protein levels in patients with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis before and three months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Methods: Ninety systemically healthy subjects aged 25–55 years were divided into three groups: Group I (periodontally healthy controls), Group II (gingivitis), and Group III (chronic generalized periodontitis). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline for all groups and at three months post-NSPT for Groups II and III. Salivary mucin was quantified using the Alcian Blue method, and total protein levels were estimated using the biuret method. Clinical parameters including gingival index, probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, paired and unpaired t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: At baseline, Group III demonstrated significantly higher clinical parameters and total protein levels compared to Groups II and I (Group III > Group II > Group I). Salivary mucin levels were higher in Group II than in Group III. Following NSPT, both Groups II and III showed significant improvement in clinical parameters. A significant reduction in total protein levels was observed in both groups, while salivary mucin levels showed a modest increase post-therapy. Positive correlations were noted between clinical parameters and salivary biomarkers. Conclusion: NSPT results in significant modulation of salivary mucin and total protein levels, correlating with clinical periodontal improvement. Salivary biomarkers may serve as noninvasive tools for monitoring periodontal therapy outcomes.References
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22. Pradeep AR, Sharma A. Comparison of clinical efficacy of dentifrices on dentinal hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial. J Periodontol. 2010;81(8):1167–1173.
23. Schafer CA, Schafer JJ, Yakob M, Lima P, Camargo P, Wong DT. Saliva diagnostics: future perspectives. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;24:88–98.
24. Farina R, Trombelli L. Salivary biomarkers in periodontal disease. J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2018;18(3):213–219.
25. Pradeep AR, Kathariya R. Gingival crevicular fluid markers in periodontal disease. J Investig Clin Dent. 2011;2(2):88–97.
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2. Dawes C. Physiological factors affecting salivary flow rate, oral sugar clearance, and the sensation of dry mouth. J Dent Res. 1987;66(Spec No):648–653.
3. Malamud D. Saliva as a diagnostic fluid. Dent Clin North Am. 2011;55(1):159–178.
4. Schafer CA, Schafer JJ, Yakob M, Lima P, Camargo P, Wong DT. Saliva diagnostics: utilizing oral fluids to determine health status. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;24:88–98.
5. Rocha M, Nascimento GG, Leança CC, Haas AN, Rösing CK. Salivary markers in patients with chronic periodontitis: a systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2014;41(3):229–239.
6. Frenkel ES, Ribbeck K. Salivary mucins protect surfaces from colonization by cariogenic bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2015;81(1):332–338.
7. Kejriwal S, Verma S, Sharma RK, Maheshwari S. Salivary mucin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis: a biochemical study. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2014;18(3):286–290.
8. Amerongen AVN, Veerman ECI. Saliva—the defender of the oral cavity. Oral Dis. 2002;8(1):12–22.
9. Humphrey SP, Williamson RT. A review of saliva: normal composition, flow, and function. J Prosthet Dent. 2001;85(2):162–169.
10. Pradeep AR, Manjunath RG, Swati PP, Shikha C. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of albumin in periodontal health and disease. J Periodontal Res. 2007;42(4):283–287.
11. Cobb CM. Clinical significance of non-surgical periodontal therapy: an evidence-based perspective of scaling and root planing. J Clin Periodontol. 2002;29(Suppl 2):6–16.
12. Bizzarro S, Van der Velden U, Loos BG. Local disinfection with sodium hypochlorite as adjunct to basic periodontal therapy: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2010;37(10):912–919.
13. Farina R, Tomasi C, Trombelli L. The bleeding site: a multilevel analysis of associated factors. J Clin Periodontol. 2013;40(8):735–742.
14. Löe H, Anerud A, Boysen H, Morrison E. Natural history of periodontal disease in man. J Clin Periodontol. 1986;13(5):431–445.
15. Seymour RA, Heasman PA. Drugs and the periodontium. J Clin Periodontol. 1993;20(8):477–486.
16. Navazesh M. Methods for collecting saliva. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1993;694:72–77.
17. Veerman EC, van den Keybus PA, Vissink A, Nieuw Amerongen AV. Human glandular salivas: their separate collection and analysis. Eur J Oral Sci. 1996;104(4):346–352.
18. Wang J, Schipper RG, Silletti E, Vingerhoeds MH. Salivary protein polymorphisms and their potential functions. Oral Dis. 2011;17(4):429–441.
19. Chiappin S, Antonelli G, Gatti R, De Palo EF. Saliva specimen: a new laboratory tool for diagnostic and basic investigation. Clin Chim Acta. 2007;383(1–2):30–40.
20. Tabak LA. In defense of the oral cavity: structure, biosynthesis, and function of salivary mucins. Annu Rev Physiol. 1995;57:547–564.
21. Thornton DJ, Rousseau K, McGuckin MA. Structure and function of the polymeric mucins in airways mucus. Annu Rev Physiol. 2008;70:459–486.
22. Pradeep AR, Sharma A. Comparison of clinical efficacy of dentifrices on dentinal hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial. J Periodontol. 2010;81(8):1167–1173.
23. Schafer CA, Schafer JJ, Yakob M, Lima P, Camargo P, Wong DT. Saliva diagnostics: future perspectives. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;24:88–98.
24. Farina R, Trombelli L. Salivary biomarkers in periodontal disease. J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2018;18(3):213–219.
25. Pradeep AR, Kathariya R. Gingival crevicular fluid markers in periodontal disease. J Investig Clin Dent. 2011;2(2):88–97.
26. Schafer CA, Wong DT. Salivary proteomics and genomics. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;24:52–64.
27. Belstrøm D, Paster BJ, Fiehn NE, Bardow A, Holmstrup P. Salivary bacterial fingerprints of periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontol. 2016;43(4):299–308.
Published
2026-03-01
How to Cite
Singh, A., Sachan, S., & Singh, R. (2026). Differential Expression of Salivary Mucin and Total Protein in Periodontitis Patients Following Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy. UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF DENTAL SCIENCES, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.21276/ujds.2026.12.1.4
Section
Original Research Paper
