Amino acids (AAs) are organic molecules that are associated with inflammation and innate immunity diseases with critical roles in the cell repair and protection process. Our aim was to identify the free amino acids in saliva of a group of periodontitis patients and healthy individuals and additionally to assess their levels in different periodontal disease types and compare it to the healthy individuals.

The study consisted of three groups: healthy individuals (control(C); n=20), Stage III Grade B generalized periodontitis (GP-B; n=20), and Stage III Grade C generalized periodontitis (GP-C; n=20). Clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP)) were measured. The amino acid analysis in saliva was accomplished by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) as mean concentration.

Inclusion Criteria:

systemically healthy, clinical diagnosis of periodontitis, clinical diagnosis of periodontal health

Exclusion Criteria:

history of regular use of systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant drugs (previous 3 months); nonsurgical periodontal treatment (previous 6 months); surgical periodontal treatment (previous 12 months); presence of <10 teeth; current medications affecting gingival health (calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, cyclosporine, and hormone replacement therapy); diabetes diagnosis; rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis; and pregnancy, lactating, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.