Assessment of CTX, PINP, and Vitamin D-Binding Protein in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Saliva During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment
Open Access
- 22 December 2025
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Diagnostics
- Vol. 16 (1) , 30
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Orthodontic tooth movement is a biological process involving coordinated bone resorption and formation in response to mechanical stimulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva during fixed orthodontic treatment, as well as to assess the relationships among these biomarkers. Methods: The study included a total of 27 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals comprising 14 males and 13 females. Clinical periodontal parameters were assessed at three time points: before treatment (T0), at 24–48 h (T1), and on day 40 (T2). GCF and saliva samples were collected at the same time points. Levels of CTX, PINP and VDBP in GCF and saliva were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed using both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Temporal changes across the three time points were evaluated using mixed-effects models, differences between GCF and saliva biomarker levels were assessed using paired tests, and correlations were examined using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: GCF and salivary CTX levels demonstrated a significant increase from T0 to T1, while PINP levels exhibited a substantial rise from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Levels of VDBP in both GCF and saliva did not demonstrate significant temporal changes (p > 0.05). Higher VDBP levels in both fluids were found to be negatively associated with increases in CTX and positively associated with increases in PINP (p < 0.05). Furthermore, salivary CTX and VDBP levels exhibited a consistent increase compared to those measured in GCF at all time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Fixed orthodontic forces elicit sequential resorptive and formative responses in both GCF and saliva. The potential of VDBP to function as a local modulator is indicated, with the capacity to influence the balance between osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity. The evaluation of these biomarkers in non-invasive biological samples may offer a valuable approach for monitoring bone metabolism throughout orthodontic treatment.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy of coconut oil for periodontal pathogens: a triple-blind randomized clinical trialClinical Oral Investigations, 2025
- A narrative review of the effects of vitamin D3 on orthodontic tooth movement: Focus on molecular and cellular mechanismsFood Science & Nutrition, 2024
- Osteoimmunology in Periodontitis and Orthodontic Tooth MovementCurrent Osteoporosis Reports, 2023
- Comparison of passive drool and cotton‐based collection methods for salivary C‐reactive protein measurementAmerican Journal of Human Biology, 2022
- The impact of fixed orthodontic appliances and clear aligners on the oral microbiome and the association with clinical parameters: A longitudinal comparative studyAmerican Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2022
- Tissue-specific biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid are correlated with external root resorption caused by constant mechanical load: an in vivo studyClinical Oral Investigations, 2021
- Serum vitamin D concentration is associated with antimicrobial peptide level in periodontal diseasesArchives of Oral Biology, 2020
- Inflammatory biomarkers and growth factors in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid of e‐cigarette users, cigarette smokers, and dual smokers: A pilot studyJournal of Periodontology, 2020
- PINP as a biological response marker during teriparatide treatment for osteoporosisOsteoporosis International, 2014
- Cellular, molecular, and tissue-level reactions to orthodontic forceAmerican Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2006