Searching for biomarkers after the periodontal treatment of patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Grant number: 22/06607-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Raquel Mantuaneli Scarel Caminaga
• Grantee: Renata Cristina Lima Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly common to find patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with dyslipidemia and periodontitis. There is growing evidence in the literature demonstrating the relationship between T2DM, dyslipidemia, immune system disorders, and periodontitis. To better understand this relationship, as well as the relationship between oral health and systemic health, it is necessary to carry out additional clinical trials to identify molecules that have a key role in the relationship between glycemic and lipid metabolism and the immune system. Results found in the literature and in studies conducted by our research group in 150 patients demonstrate that interleukin-7 (IL-7) has an important role in the immune system and in the regulation of glycemic and lipid metabolism. The role of IL-7 in the immune system is well known, but few studies have investigated the action of this molecule in the modulation of T2DM and periodontitis. Our hypothesis is that IL-7 is a biomarker for metabolic and immune homeostasis in patients with T2DM. The objective of this study is to determine whether IL-7 is a biomarker in the periodontal treatment of patients with T2DM. We will study 30 patients divided into five groups: (1) T2DM, (2) periodontitis, (3) well-controlled T2DM and periodontitis, (4) poorly controlled T2DM and periodontitis, and (5) a control group. We will examine their glycemic, lipid and periodontal profile before and 45, 90, and 180 days after the periodontal treatment. Patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 will receive periodontal treatment, which can be either surgical or non-surgical depending on the patient's needs. Patients in groups 1 and 5 will receive prophylaxis and instructions on oral hygiene at the same intervals. The purpose of this clinical trial is to analyze the behavior of IL-7 in all five groups at each interval. To do so, we will measure the amount of IL-7, TNF-± and IL-10 in gingival crevicular fluid (translational levels in the periodontium). We will also investigate the systemic transcriptional levels (mRNA in leukocytes) and the systemic translational levels (multiplex in serum) of these molecules . If we are able to collect gingival tissue samples from the patients who will receive periodontal treatment, we will perform a histological, stereometric, and immunohistochemical evaluation of IL-7, IL-10, and TNF-± as a complementary qualitative analysis. We will use linear and/or multiple logistic regression and correlation analysis to identify the relationship between the transcriptional and translational levels of these molecules and the patients' glycemic, lipid and periodontal profiles as we compare the groups at different intervals. This clinical trial will provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenic relationship between T2DM and periodontitis. This will contribute to biomedicine and biotechnology in the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of patients with T2DM and periodontitis. (AU)