Estimation and correlation of human salivary Clusterin levels in periodontal health,Gingivitis and generalised chronicPeriodontitis - a cross sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gingivitis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory conditions that may affect as much as 80% of the adult population, making them one of the most prevalent diseases in humankind. The disease process initiates due to the accumulation of bacteria and exposure to bacterial products triggers inflammation in the tissue. The absence of pain in periodontal diseases is usually one of the main reasons why patients do not seek professional care in their early or even more advanced stages. The traditional clinical criteria are often insufficient for determining sites of active disease, monitoring the response to therapy, or measuring the degree of susceptibility to future disease

progression. To overcome the challenge, various molecular disease biomarkers are being researched for identifying the hidden lethal threat before the disease becomes complicated. Saliva contains an abundance of proteins and genetic molecules and is readily accessible via a totally noninvasive approach. A novel protein clusterin is expressed in almost all mammalian tissue including plasma, serum, milk, saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and semen. It is believed to perform some important functions in the body that are prime to maintaining homeostasis. It is postulated that the protein might also play important role in the occurrence or progression of periodontitis. Hence, this study was designed to estimate and correlate the clusterin levels in saliva in health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

AIM: To estimate and correlate human salivary clusterin levels in periodontal health, gingivitis, and generalized chronic periodontitis.