Comparative Analysis of Salivary Galectin-8, Galectin-9, and RANKL Levels in Periodontal Health and Disease


Er K. A., Yılmaz H. E., Narin F., Sağlam M.

Oral Diseases, vol.32, no.4, pp.1119-1127, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/odi.70213
  • Journal Name: Oral Diseases
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1119-1127
  • Keywords: galectin-8, galectin-9, periodontal disease, RANKL, saliva
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare salivary levels of galectin-8, galectin-9, and RANKL in individuals with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium, and to evaluate their diagnostic potential in periodontal diseases. Methods: A total of 60 systemically healthy, non-smoking individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into three groups based on periodontal examination: healthy (Group H, n = 20), gingivitis (Group G, n = 20), and periodontitis (Group P, n = 20). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Salivary biomarker levels were analyzed using ELISA. Results: All biomarkers were significantly elevated in groups G and P compared to group H (p < 0.05), and higher in group P than group G (p < 0.05). ROC analysis revealed that galectin-9 (AUC = 0.946) was significantly better at distinguishing periodontal disease than galectin-8 (AUC = 0.832) and RANKL (AUC = 0.780) (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between galectin-8 and RANKL (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Salivary galectin-8, galectin-9, and RANKL levels are elevated in periodontal disease and may serve as diagnostic biomarkers. Among them, galectin-9 demonstrated superior discriminative power for identifying periodontal disease. Trial Registration: NCT06404476.