Evaluation of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Cytokine Profiles in Children and Young Adults With Gingivitis

May 19, 2026 updated by: Nigde Omer Halisdemir University

Comparison of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarkers Between Childhood Gingivitis and Adolescent Gingivitis

This prospective observational case-control study aims to compare gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) biomarker profiles between children and young adults diagnosed with gingivitis. A total of approximately 80 systemically healthy participants will be recruited and divided into two groups: children aged 8-12 years and young adults aged 15-24 years. Individuals aged 13-14 years will be excluded as they represent a transitional pubertal period characterized by significant hormonal fluctuations that may influence inflammatory responses and confound biomarker levels.

Clinical periodontal parameters including gingival index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing depth will be recorded. In addition, GCF samples will be collected from a standardized tooth and analyzed for levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, and MMP-8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate and compare inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles between the two age groups. The findings may contribute to understanding age-related differences in gingival inflammatory responses and the potential role of hormonal transition in periodontal disease expression during childhood and early adulthood.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Niğde, Turkey (Türkiye), 51240
        • Recruiting
        • Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Faculty of Dentistry
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited from the Pedodontics and Periodontology Clinics of Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Faculty of Dentistry. The study population will consist of systemically healthy children and young adults diagnosed with gingivitis. Participants will be divided into two age-based groups: children aged 8-12 years and young adults aged 15-24 years. Individuals aged 13-14 years will be excluded due to being in a transitional pubertal stage associated with significant hormonal variability that may influence gingival inflammatory responses and confound biomarker levels. All participants will undergo clinical periodontal examination and gingival crevicular fluid sampling for biomarker analysis.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Individuals aged 8-12 years (child group) or 15-24 years (young adult group)
  2. Clinical diagnosis of gingivitis
  3. Presence of fully erupted tooth #31 with closed apex
  4. Systemically healthy individuals
  5. No history of periodontal treatment in the last 3 months
  6. No antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drug use in the last 3 months
  7. Good cooperation and willingness to participate
  8. Written informed consent from participants or legal guardians (for minors)

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 13-14 years (transitional pubertal period)
  2. Presence of periodontitis or other periodontal diseases
  3. Systemic, genetic, or immunological diseases
  4. Acute oral infections or conditions requiring emergency treatment
  5. Orthodontic appliances in the sampling region
  6. Smokers
  7. Pregnant or lactating individuals
  8. Individuals with cognitive, psychological, or physical disabilities affecting cooperation
  9. Inadequate eruption or incomplete root development of tooth #31
  10. Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Childhood gingivitis group
Diagnostic test: Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarker Assessment

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples will be collected from a standardized tooth (#31) using sterile absorbent paper strips (Periopaper®). Samples will be obtained after isolation and drying of the sampling site to avoid saliva contamination. Each strip will be placed gently in the gingival sulcus until mild resistance is felt and maintained for 30 seconds.

Collected samples will be immediately stored at -80°C until laboratory analysis. Levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, and MMP-8 will be quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits according to manufacturer instructions.

This procedure is non-invasive and performed for diagnostic and comparative biomarker analysis purposes only.
Young adult gingivitis group
Diagnostic test: Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarker Assessment

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples will be collected from a standardized tooth (#31) using sterile absorbent paper strips (Periopaper®). Samples will be obtained after isolation and drying of the sampling site to avoid saliva contamination. Each strip will be placed gently in the gingival sulcus until mild resistance is felt and maintained for 30 seconds.

Collected samples will be immediately stored at -80°C until laboratory analysis. Levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, and MMP-8 will be quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits according to manufacturer instructions.

This procedure is non-invasive and performed for diagnostic and comparative biomarker analysis purposes only.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Gingival crevicular fluid TNF-α levels
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Gingival crevicular fluid IL-1β levels
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Gingival crevicular fluid IL-10 levels
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8 levels
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Gingival Index
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Plaque Index
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Bleeding on Probing
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Periodontal Pocket Depth
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Nigde Omer Halisdemir University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 26, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 26, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 19, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NigdeOHU-GingivitisDOS

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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