Serum and salivary calcitonin gene‑related peptide, pentraxin‑3 and interleukin‑1β levels in patients with periodontitis suffering from migraines

Periodontitis is characterized by dysregulated host immune responses to Gram‑negative anaerobes, resulting in local tissue destruction and systemic inflammatory spill‑over. In parallel, neurovascular inflammation potentially influenced by mediators, such as interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β), calcitonin gene‑related peptide (CGRP) and pentraxin‑3 (PTX‑3) is associated with migraine chronification. Given the biological overlap between mucosal and systemic inflammatory pathways, the present study assessed serum and salivary IL‑1β, CGRP and PTX‑3 levels in 96 individuals allocated to four groups as follows: Healthy controls, patients with chronic migraines without periodontitis, periodontitis without migraines, and patients with chronic migraines with periodontitis. Biomarker levels were quantified using validated ELISA protocols, and the periodontal status was evaluated using the plaque index, modified sulcular bleeding index, probing depth and clinical attachment level. Individuals with co‑existing chronic migraines and periodontitis exhibited the highest salivary and serum biomarker concentrations. The salivary IL‑1β level was consistently higher than the serum levels, whereas CGRP and PTX‑3 levels were predominantly elevated in serum. Significant correlations were observed between the salivary and serum concentrations of all markers, and between biomarker levels and periodontal parameters. These findings indicate an amplified inflammatory burden in individuals with both conditions and support the concept of a shared neurovascular‑immune axis. Although the cross‑sectional design precludes causal inference, the results of the present study highlight the potential relevance of periodontal status in the inflammatory profile of chronic migraine.