Dr. Maurizio Battino, scientific researcher and director of the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (Iberoamerican University Foundation, FUNIBER) at its headquarters in Italy, is participating in a study proposing a personalized treatment strategy to address oxidative stress in patients with periodontitis. Francesca Giampieri, professor at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (UNEATLANTICO), an institution that is part of the International University Network of the Foundation, is also participating in the study.
Periodontitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory gum disease worldwide that, in addition to causing bleeding and bone and tooth loss, is linked to other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pathological aging. A common factor in all of these is oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between unstable molecules (free radicals or reactive species) and the body’s antioxidant defenses. When that balance is disrupted, cells and tissues suffer damage.
For years, antioxidant-based solutions (such as resveratrol, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, lycopene, or melatonin) have been explored as a complement to conventional periodontal treatment. Although they have shown benefits in laboratory and animal studies, results in humans have been mixed. One possible reason is that each person has a different oxidative profile, influenced by their diet, physical activity, stress level, medications, or environmental pollution.
Faced with these limitations, the study introduces personalized oxidative stress therapy (POST). This therapy proposes taking three levels into consideration at the same time: 1) the patient’s environment, such as air pollution, ultraviolet or ionizing radiation; 2) their personal characteristics (age, eating habits, exercise, psychological stress, microbiome or set of beneficial bacteria in the body, and medications); and 3) what happens inside cells, especially in their organelles, small structures with specific functions.
To construct this framework, the team conducted a comprehensive narrative review of recent biomedical literature, integrating findings from cell biology, immunometabolism, dental materials science, and clinical trials in periodontics. Molecular mechanisms, redox signaling pathways, and inflammatory biomarkers are analyzed, identifying plausible intervention points and evidence gaps that require prospective studies.
Relevant results of the study
It was determined that gums with periodontitis, mitochondria, an organ responsible for cellular energy production, function less efficiently and generate more harmful compounds, a situation that improves after intensive periodontal treatment, mainly in people with diabetes. In addition, an overload is observed in the cellular workshop responsible for manufacturing proteins, which contributes to bone loss near the teeth.
Other compartments that regulate fats and neutralize oxidants are altered, especially in obesity or metabolic syndrome, aggravating damage to dental support tissue. The internal cell recycling system becomes less effective, waste accumulates, and inflammation increases. Gum cells «age» prematurely and keep the inflammatory response active. In addition, certain oral bacteria alter cell function and promote inflammation.
Lifestyle and environment play an important role. Following a Mediterranean-type diet and exercising regularly are associated with better gum health. On the other hand, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, pollution, and smoking worsen periodontitis. Certain oral bacteria alter the internal functioning of cells and promote inflammation, so it is not enough to use antioxidants in a general way.
This study redefines the approach to periodontitis from a redox-systemic perspective and proposes personalizing oxidative stress treatment therapy for each patient, taking into account the environment, individual characteristics, and cellular physiology. The integration of clinical data, omics, and biomarkers with the support of artificial intelligence can accelerate the translation of personalized oxidative stress therapy into clinical practice.
If you would like to learn more about this study, click here.
To read more research, consult the UNEATLANTICO repository.
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) offers scholarships to study master’s degrees in the field of health and nutrition, such as the Master’s Degree in Public Health. This program prepares you to transform these findings into effective preventive programs and community interventions. Take the next step to lead health solutions with real impact with the support of the Foundation.