Background: Menopause is associated with significant hormonal changes that can influence systemic and oral
health, including an increased risk of inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(TNF-α) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in periodontal disease progression and has been detected in
saliva, serving as a potential biomarker for disease severity.
Objectives: To determine the association between elevated salivary TNF-α levels and periodontitis in menopausal
women.
Materials and Methods: An in vivo cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 menopausal women, divided into
two groups: Group I (with periodontitis; n=20) and Group II (without periodontitis; n=20). Saliva samples were
collected using randomized sampling, and TNF-α levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with Independent t-tests employed for group
comparisons; significance was established at p < 0.05.
Results: All participants exhibited detectable salivary TNF-α levels. Group I demonstrated significantly higher
TNF-α concentrations with Mean ± SD of 20.48 ± 3.10 compared to Group II with 11.32 ± 1.74, with the
difference being statistically significant (p = 0.001). These results revealed the association between elevated TNF-α
levels in periodontitis in menopausal women, reflecting the combined impact of hormonal changes and local
inflammation.
Conclusion: Elevated salivary TNF-α levels in menopausal women with periodontitis suggest that TNF-α could
serve as a potential biomarker for periodontal inflammation influenced by estrogen deficiency. The findings
contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between systemic hormonal alterations and local inflammatory
responses in periodontal disease, warranting further research with larger cohorts and exploration of targeted
therapeutic strategies.
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