Quantificação de micronúcleos em indivíduos com periodontite submetidos ao tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico associado ou não à terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

Micronuclei (MNs) are biomarkers of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage associated with the development of mutagenic and carcinogenic alterations. Their frequency tends to increase in the presence of local and/or systemic alterations linked to inflammatory conditions, such as Periodontitis. This study aimed to quantify and compare the frequency of MNs in individuals with Periodontitis through the collection of buccal mucosa cells after non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT), with or without the adjunctive use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Methodology: The study was designed as a randomized clinical trial, in which twenty-two patients with Periodontitis were selected following a comprehensive periodontal examination, including visible plaque index, plaque-retentive factors, gingival bleeding, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and furcation involvement. After patient selection, randomization was performed through an automated lottery system, and participants were allocated into two groups: a CONTROL group, which received NSPT alone, and a TEST group, which received NSPT combined with aPDT. Additionally, patients received instructions on biofilm control and were provided with a standardized oral hygiene kit along with an oral hygiene instruction manual. Sixty days after the completion of treatment, cells were collected from the right and left buccal mucosa of each participant, and the MN count was performed according to the MN Cytome Assay. A total of 2,200 cells were analyzed, with 1,100 cells per group (CONTROL and TEST). Overall, 44 MNs were observed, of which 19 were detected in samples from the TEST group and 25 in samples from the CONTROL group. Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent samples Student’s t-test to compare the mean MN count between groups, revealing no statistically significant difference. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that aPDT combined with NSPT is associated with a greater reduction in DNA damage and, consequently, a lower MN frequency compared to NSPT alone.