Boron Levels, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Periodontitis

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Boron Levels and Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Defense, and Inflammatory Markers in Individuals With Periodontitis

This cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between boron levels and oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory markers in individuals with periodontitis. The study will include systemically healthy, non-smoking individuals divided into two groups: periodontally healthy controls and patients with Stage III-IV periodontitis. Boron levels and selected oxidative stress, antioxidant, and inflammatory biomarkers will be evaluated in saliva and gingival tissue samples. The findings will be compared between the groups to investigate the potential relationship between boron levels and periodontal inflammation and oxidative stress.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteering to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form
• Being between 18 and 65 years of age
• Being systemically healthy
• No antibiotic use within the last 3 months
• No periodontal treatment within the last 6 months
• Being a non-smoker or having quit smoking at least 5 years ago
• Not being pregnant or breastfeeding
• No current use of steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• No current use of medications associated with gingival enlargement, such as calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, or cyclosporine
• No regular use of boron-containing supplements or multivitamin complexes
• For the periodontally healthy group: no clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing <10%, probing depth ≤3 mm, no radiographic bone loss, and an indication for crown-lengthening surgery
• For the periodontitis group: diagnosis of Stage III or IV periodontitis according to the 2017 World Workshop classification and an indication for periodontal flap surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Incomplete or unreliable clinical measurements
• Insufficient saliva or gingival tissue sample for biochemical analyses
• Regular use of boron-containing oral care products within the last 3 months
• Regular consumption of boron-rich supplements or mineral waters
• Failure to comply with the study protocol