Comparative Evaluation of Salivary Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) Levels in Healthy Individuals, Periodontitis, and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Background Periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are chronic conditions sharing common pathogenic mechanisms, including inflammation and molecular dysregulation. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), may serve as a potential biomarker linking these conditions. This study aimed to evaluate and compare salivary ZEB1 levels and clinical periodontal parameters among healthy individuals, periodontitis patients, and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to assess the potential of salivary ZEB1 as a non-invasive biomarker associated with periodontal disease and oral cancer. Methodology A total of 90 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were categorized into the following three equal groups: Group A included healthy individuals, Group B included periodontitis patients, and Group C included OSCC patients. Periodontal parameters, gingival index, plaque index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were recorded in Groups A and B. Unstimulated saliva samples were obtained from all participants and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis for the estimation of ZEB1 levels. Statistical evaluation of the data was performed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results The periodontitis group demonstrated significantly higher clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.001). Salivary ZEB1 levels were sign
Abstract
Background Periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are chronic conditions sharing common pathogenic mechanisms, including inflammation and molecular dysregulation. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), may serve as a potential biomarker linking these conditions. This study aimed to evaluate and compare salivary ZEB1 levels and clinical periodontal parameters among healthy individuals, periodontitis patients, and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to assess the potential of salivary ZEB1 as a non-invasive biomarker associated with periodontal disease and oral cancer. Methodology A total of 90 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were categorized into the following three equal groups: Group A included healthy individuals, Group B included periodontitis patients, and Group C included OSCC patients. Periodontal parameters, gingival index, plaque index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were recorded in Groups A and B. Unstimulated saliva samples were obtained from all participants and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis for the estimation of ZEB1 levels. Statistical evaluation of the data was performed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results The periodontitis group demonstrated significantly higher clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.001). Salivary ZEB1 levels were significantly higher across the groups: Group A (3.28 ± 1.72 ng/mL), Group B (12.11 ± 6.81 ng/mL), and Group C (14.96 ± 6.24 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Intergroup comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between all groups. Elevated ZEB1 levels were associated with increased disease severity. Conclusions Salivary ZEB1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with periodontitis and OSCC, with the highest levels observed in the OSCC group. These findings suggest that ZEB1 may act as a promising non-invasive biomarker linking periodontal inflammation and oral carcinogenesis. It may also have potential applications in early detection and disease monitoring.