Evaluation of Salusin-α and Salusin-β Levels in Human Saliva Samples from Patients with Gingivitis and Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Biomedicines, vol.14, no.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 14 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.3390/biomedicines14020346
- Journal Name: Biomedicines
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Keywords: biomarkers, gingivitis, periodontitis, saliva, salusin-α, salusin-β, salusins
- Süleyman Demirel University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Gingivitis and periodontitis are progressive inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth; gingivitis involves reversible gingival inflammation, whereas periodontitis is a more advanced condition characterized by irreversible tissue destruction, including clinical attachment and alveolar bone loss. Salusin-α and salusin-β are inflammation-related polypeptides that may reflect periodontal inflammatory burden; however, salivary data in periodontal diseases are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the salivary salusin-α and salusin-β levels in individuals with gingivitis and periodontitis. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from a total of 80 systemically healthy non-smoker individuals classified into three groups: gingivitis (n = 27), stage III grade B periodontitis (n = 27), and healthy participant (n = 26) based on the 2017 Periodontal Classification criteria. Salusin-α and salusin-β levels in saliva were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistical analysis utilized one-way ANOVA, Student’s t-test, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Compared to the healthy group, salivary levels of salusin-α and salusin-β were found to be significantly elevated in periodontitis groups (p < 0.05), not gingivitis (p > 0.05); moreover, the increase in both markers was significantly greater in the periodontitis group than in the gingivitis group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our finding suggests that salusins play a role in the inflammatory processes of periodontal diseases. The increase in salusin-α and salusin-β levels in the periodontitis suggests that these parameters may serve as biomarkers.