Taurine in Periodontitis and Aging

The Role of Taurine in Periodontitis and Aging: a Preliminary Study

Aging leads to a decline in physiological functions and increases the risk of chronic diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes progressive destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth. Taurine, an amino acid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, might impact both periodontitis and aging. This study investigated taurine, SIRT1, and TNF-α levels in saliva and blood of 66 healthy people in different age groups, with or without periodontal disease. The findings showed that young people with healthy periodontal status had higher levels of taurine and SIRT1 compared to others. TNF-α, a marker of inflammation, was linked to the severity of periodontitis and may help identifying it in younger individuals. Overall, higher TNF-α levels are associated with periodontal inflammation, while taurine levels decrease with age-related inflammation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• ages 18-25 or 45-64
• use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or anticoagulants within the last 6 months
• presence of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or other systemic conditions such as cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and neurodegenerative disorders
• pregnancy or lactation
• alcoholism
• smoking
• nonsurgical periodontal treatment in the past 6 months or surgical treatment in the past 12 months
• having less than 20 natural teeth, excluding third molars
• use of orthodontic appliances