Non-surgical periodontal treatment improves mitochondrial bioenergetics in circulating immune cells of patients with chronic periodontitis

INTRODUCTION: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease associated with local and systemic oxidative stress and leads to mitochondrial homeostasis disruption. Although non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) has been proved to reduce the bacterial load and inflammation, the mechanisms underlying its effects on mitochondrial function and systemic redox balance remain poorly understood. METHODS: Eighty patients with CP underwent NSPT. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks after therapy. Mitochondrial redox status, membrane potential, markers of mitochondrial biogenic signalling (PGC-1α), electron transport chain (ETC) complexes, and bioenergetic function were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Correlation and multivariable analyses were performed to explore relationships between periodontal improvement and mitochondrial parameters. RESULTS: After NSPT, patients presented significant reductions in mitochondrial ROS and increased GPX1 expression. PBMCs also showed elevated PGC-1α and ETC I-IV protein levels, together with enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, mass, and spare respiratory capacity. Baseline mitochondrial parameters were associated with the percentage of reduction of periodontal clinical parameters following NSPT. CONCLUSIONS: NSPT not only ameliorates local periodontal inflammation but also modulates mitochondrial-related homeostasis and bioenergetic efficiency in circulating immune cells. The present findings support mitochondrial remodelling as a systemic mechanism underlying the benefits of periodontal therapy and a promising target for the treatment of inflammation-related comorbidities.