Comparative Analysis of Calcium-Binding Myeloid-Related Protein-8/14 in Saliva and Serum of Patients With Periodontitis and Healthy Individuals.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate calcium-binding myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8/14 in the saliva and serum of individuals with periodontitis and periodontally healthy individuals for the assessment of its role in the pathogenesis and clinical diagnosis of periodontitis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes 56 patients with periodontitis and 44 periodontally healthy individuals. Saliva and serum were collected for the detection of MRP-8/14 and calcium levels. Periodontopathic bacteria were determined by polymerase chain reaction in saliva. Correlations between salivary and serum MRP-8/14 levels and clinical parameters, bacteria, and calcium were analyzed with Pearson correlation in a multiple regression model. MRP-8/14 levels were documented with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Compared with healthy individuals, MRP-8/14 levels were significantly higher in both the saliva and serum of patients with periodontitis, but calcium was increased only in saliva. A high diagnostic potential of salivary MRP-8/14 was detected for periodontitis (ROC = 0.86). Salivary MRP-8/14 levels correlated significantly with the presence of the periodontopathogen Treponema denticola, as well as with the clinical parameters of periodontitis. CONCLUSION: MRP-8/14 in saliva might be a potential diagnostic parameter for periodontal disease.