Gum disease clues: could hippo proteins be the missing link?

NCT ID NCT07759466

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Inonu University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study investigates whether proteins from the Hippo signaling pathway—known to control cell growth and bone health—are present at different levels in the gum fluid of people with healthy gums, gingivitis, or periodontitis. Researchers will collect fluid samples from 75 participants and measure these proteins along with markers of cell death and bone metabolism. The goal is to see if these proteins could serve as indicators of periodontal disease activity or progression.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ELISA biomarker analysis of gingival crevicular fluid
What this could lead to: If certain Hippo pathway proteins are found at different levels in gum disease, they could become biomarkers for early detection or targets for new treatments.
What could go wrong: This is a small observational study, so it can only show associations, not cause and effect. The findings may not apply to everyone or lead to practical tests.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

75 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2024

Finished

Apr 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

The study population consisted of 75 systemically healthy adults aged 18 to 65 years who presented to the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Inönü University, between January and May 2024. Participants were allocated into three equally sized groups according to the 2017 World Workshop classification: periodontally healthy individuals, patients with gingivitis, and patients with stage 3 grade B periodontitis. Eligible participants had at least 20 teeth excluding third molars and no systemic disease, no antibiotic use or periodontal treatment within the preceding six months, no smoking or alcohol use, and no pregnancy or lactation. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected from group-specific sites for quantification of Hippo signaling pathway proteins, BCL-2, and alkaline phosphatase.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Systemically healthy individuals aged 18-65 years * Non-smokers or smoking cessation more than 5 years ago * Healthy group: No history of periodontal disease, ≥20 teeth, probing depth (PD) ≤3 mm at all sites, bleeding on probing (BOP) \<10%, radiographic CEJ-to-alveolar bone crest distance ≤3 mm in ≥95% of teeth * Gingivitis group: No history of periodontal disease, ≥20 teeth, PD ≤3 mm at all sites, BOP ≥30%, radiographic CEJ-to-alveolar bone crest distance ≤3 mm in ≥95% of teeth * Periodontitis group: ≥15 teeth, \>30% of teeth affected by periodontal disease, PD ≥6 mm, clinical attachment loss (CAL) ≥5 mm, vertical bone loss ≥3 mm, Class II or III furcation involvement, radiographic alveolar bone loss extending to the middle third or beyond (≥33%), bone loss-to-age ratio between 0.25 and 1.00 Exclusion Criteria: * Periodontal treatment or antibiotic use within the past 6 months * Fewer than 20 teeth (excluding third molars) * Presence of any systemic disease * Current smoking or cessation within the past 5 years * Use of immunosuppressive medication * Alcohol consumption * Regular medication use * Pregnancy or lactation * Need for antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures * Prosthetic restorations on the teeth selected for sampling

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic periodontitis common wart gingivitis hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy periodontal disorder periodontitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Biomarker discovery and validation Gingivitis and periodontal diseases Pathways Periodontal disease

Gum disease clues: could hippo proteins be the missing link?

What the study statuses mean