The correlation between Omentin-1 levels and Th17/Treg imbalance in patients with periodontitis (Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ, Grade B/C) and its diagnostic value

  • BMC Oral Health. 2026 Jun 22. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-08469-2.
Lili Zhao  #  1 ,  Qiaolong Yu  #  2 ,  Quan Yuan  3 ,  Ziru Huang  4  5
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of stomatology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei Province, 063000, China.
  • 2. Department of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, The 73 rd Army Hospital of Chinese PLA, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
  • 3. Department of Stomatology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361003, China.
  • 4. Orthodontics and Prosthetics Department, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei Province, 063000, China. [email protected].
  • 5. Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, No. 366, South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510280, China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 42332681 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-026-08469-2
Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum Omentin-1 levels and Th17/Treg immune imbalance in patients with periodontitis and its clinical diagnostic value.

Methods: This single-centre retrospective study enrolled 80 patients with periodontitis (32 cases of Stage Ⅱ [Grade B/C], 48 cases of Stage Ⅲ [Grade B/C]; diagnosed per the 2017 AAP/EFP World Workshop classification) and 70 healthy controls between January 2023 and January 2025. Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected. Flow cytometry was used to assess Th17 and Treg cell proportions, and ELISA was employed to measure serum levels of IL-17, IL-22, IL-10, TGF-β, and omentin-1. Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses evaluated associations between omentin-1 and IL-17, IL-22, IL-10, TGF-β. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors, and ROC analysis assessed the diagnostic performance of omentin-1.

Results: Serum Omentin-1 levels in patients with periodontitis (Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ, Grade B/C) were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Patients exhibited increased Th17 cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-22), and decreased Treg cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β) (all P < 0.001). Serum Omentin-1 levels were negatively correlated with Th17, IL-17, and IL-22, and positively correlated with Treg, IL-10, and TGF-β. Reduced omentin-1, IL-10, and Treg proportion, along with elevated Th17, IL-17, and IL-22, were independent risk factors for periodontitis. ROC analysis showed Omentin-1 had high diagnostic value (AUC = 0.915, cut-off = 25.150 ng/mL, sensitivity = 80.00%, specificity = 92.86%).

Conclusion: Patients with periodontitis (Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ, Grade B/C) exhibit reduced Omentin-1 levels and Th17/Treg immune imbalance, which are significantly correlated. Omentin-1 shows high diagnostic value and may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.

Keywords
Correlation analysis; Diagnostic value; Omentin-1; Periodontitis; Th17/Treg imbalance.
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