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Thesis - Samal, Ankita1.85 MB
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Thesis
Longitudinal metabolites shifts in periodontitis after non-surgical therapy
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2026
DOI: 10.25820/etd.008372
Abstract
Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dysbiotic biofilms and host-mediated tissue destruction. While microbial and immunologic studies have provided important insights into disease mechanisms, they do not fully capture the functional biochemical changes occurring within the periodontal environment. Metabolomics offers a complementary approach by profiling small-molecule metabolites that reflect the integrated activity of host and microbial processes.
Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in metabolite profiles in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from deep and shallow periodontal sites, as well as saliva, in individuals with periodontitis following non-surgical periodontal therapy. Fifty-four subjects were enrolled at baseline, with follow-up at 3 and 6 months. Targeted metabolomic analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate analysis, pathway enrichment, and longitudinal trajectory analysis were conducted to assess temporal and compartment-specific changes.
Results: Distinct metabolomic profiles were observed between saliva and GCF at baseline, with biological compartment serving as a primary driver of variation. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated temporal shifts in metabolite profiles following therapy. GCF from deep sites showed reduced dispersion over time, suggesting decreased metabolic heterogeneity, whereas salivary profiles exhibited increased variability. Several metabolites demonstrated consistent directional changes across compartments, including intermediates of central carbon metabolism and microbial-associated metabolites. Pathway enrichment analyses indicated alterations across lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that non-surgical periodontal therapy is associated with dynamic metabolic reorganization within the oral environment. While within-subject comparisons enabled detection of longitudinal changes, the absence of a periodontally healthy control group limits inference regarding restoration to health. Overall, this study highlights the potential of longitudinal, multi-compartment metabolomic profiling for understanding periodontal disease biology and treatment response.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Longitudinal metabolites shifts in periodontitis after non-surgical therapy
- Creators
- Ankita Samal
- Contributors
- Sukirth Ganesan (Advisor)Shareef M Dabdoub (Committee Member)Sivaraman Prakasam (Committee Member)Georgia Kay T Johnson (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Oral Science
- Date degree season
- Spring 2026
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.008372
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xi, 48 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2026 Ankita Samal
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/24/2026
- Description illustrations
- graphs
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 47-48).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Gum disease (periodontitis) is a common condition that causes inflammation and damage to the tissues supporting the teeth. While bacteria play an important role, the disease is also influenced by how the body responds to these microbes. To better understand what happens during treatment, this study focused on small molecules called metabolites, which reflect the biological activity of both bacteria and the body.
Samples of saliva and fluid from around the teeth (gingival crevicular fluid) were collected from patients with periodontitis before and after routine non-surgical treatment. The study tracked how these metabolite profiles changed over time.
The results showed that saliva and site-specific fluid provide different types of biological information. After treatment, metabolic patterns changed over time, with some becoming more stable locally around the teeth, while saliva showed more variability. Several key metabolic pathways related to energy use, inflammation, and microbial activity were altered following therapy.
Overall, the findings suggest that periodontal treatment is associated with ongoing biological changes rather than an immediate return to a “healthy” state. This type of analysis may help improve how we monitor gum disease and evaluate treatment response in the future.
- Academic Unit
- Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985177272202771
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