Diet-derived circulating antioxidants, periodontitis and dental caries: A Mendelian randomization study

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#humans #antioxidants #dental-caries #diet #dietary-supplements

Diet-derived circulating antioxidants, periodontitis and dental caries: A Mendelian randomization study

Gao et al., 2024 | J Periodontal Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Gao Yan, Huang Donghai, ... Lu Shanhong. Diet-derived circulating antioxidants, periodontitis and dental caries: A Mendelian randomization study. J Periodontal Res. 2024-Oct;59(5):951-958. doi:10.1111/jre.13260

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Given the potential association between oxidative stress, periodontitis and dental caries, whether dietary supplementation with antioxidants is beneficial for periodontitis and dental caries has been widely reported, but remains controversial. This study aims to clarify these relationships through two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. METHODS: Circulating antioxidants (copper, selenium, zinc, ascorbate, β-carotene, lycopene, retinol and vitamin E) were derived from absolute circulating antioxidants and circulating antioxidant metabolites. Summary data of periodontitis and dental caries were obtained from two separate databases, respectively. We performed inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis separately in different databases, followed by meta-analysis. The robustness of results was examined by sensitivity analyses, including three complementary MR methods, heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests, and PhenoScanner query. RESULTS: IVW analysis showed that elevated levels of absolute circulating retinol reduced the risk of periodontitis (GLIDE: OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.18-0.95, p = .038, power = 100%; FinnGen: OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.04-0.54, p = .004, power = 100%). The pooled OR for periodontitis risk per unit increase of retinol is 0.30 (95% CI = 0.15-0.61, p = .001, I2 = 40.3%, power = 100%). No significant associations were noted for genetically predicted circulating antioxidants and dental caries risk. The sensitivity analyses yielded similar estimates. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a negative causality between circulating retinol and periodontitis risk, and null linkage between circulating antioxidants and dental caries risk, suggesting potential strategies for the prevention and control of periodontitis.

Key Findings

IVW analysis showed that elevated levels of absolute circulating retinol reduced the risk of periodontitis (GLIDE: OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.18-0.95, p = .038, power = 100%; FinnGen: OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.04-0.54, p = .004, power = 100%). The pooled OR for periodontitis risk per unit increase of retinol is 0.30 (95% CI = 0.15-0.61, p = .001, I2 = 40.3%, power = 100%). No significant associations were noted for genetically predicted circulating antioxidants and dental caries risk. The sensitivity ana

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Antioxidants
  • Dental Caries
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Mendelian Randomization Analysis
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Periodontitis
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09