The Association Between Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA), Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease induced by bacteria in dental plaque that can activate the host's immune-inflammatory response and invade the bloodstream. We hypothesized that a higher periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers, lower levels of antioxidants, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). <b>Methods</b>: Using periodontal parameters, we calculated the PISA score, measured the levels of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidants in the serum, and took buccal swabs for mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) extraction. <b>Results</b>: Higher PISA was associated with higher CRP levels, higher leukocyte, neutrophil, and erythrocyte counts, and lower magnesium-to-calcium ratio, but not with mtDNAcn. A higher number of deep pockets was associated with higher leukocytes and neutrophil counts and higher uric acid levels. <b>Conclusions</b>: The PISA score might be an appropriate parameter to assess the inflammatory burden of periodontitis, but not to assess mitochondrial dysfunction after mtDNA isolation from buccal swabs.