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Introduction <p>Previous studies indicate that dental anxiety (DA) is associated with increased salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, biomarkers of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) activation. However, underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore whether peripheral blood mRNA expression levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GR transcripts containing exons 1B (GR-1B), glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1 (GRIA1), oxytocin (OT), oxytocin receptor (OTR), and Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1), together with salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels, are associated with dental anxiety.</p> Methods <p>In this cross-sectional study, a total of 30 DA patients and 28 non-DA patients were included. The mRNA expression levels of GR, GR-1B, GRIA1, OT, OTR, and PARP1 in peripheral blood were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p> Results <p>The expression levels of GR-1B mRNA were significantly higher in the DA group than in the non-DA group, whereas GRIA1 and OT mRNA expression levels were lower in the DA group. Concurrently, salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were significantly higher in the DA group.</p> Conclusion <p>Dental anxiety may be associated with altered stress-related molecular expression and salivary biomarkers. These findings provide preliminary evidence of peripheral molecular and salivary changes associated with dental anxiety and may contribute to understanding its biological correlates.</p>

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Altered peripheral blood mRNA and salivary biomarkers in dental anxiety: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Liu Wenlong,
  • Tao Huai,
  • Wang Shichen,
  • Liu Chao,
  • Hou Xianggang,
  • Zhu Hongshuang,
  • Duan Yige,
  • Bai Minghai,
  • Liu Yong

摘要

Introduction

Previous studies indicate that dental anxiety (DA) is associated with increased salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, biomarkers of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) activation. However, underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore whether peripheral blood mRNA expression levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GR transcripts containing exons 1B (GR-1B), glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1 (GRIA1), oxytocin (OT), oxytocin receptor (OTR), and Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1), together with salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels, are associated with dental anxiety.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 30 DA patients and 28 non-DA patients were included. The mRNA expression levels of GR, GR-1B, GRIA1, OT, OTR, and PARP1 in peripheral blood were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The expression levels of GR-1B mRNA were significantly higher in the DA group than in the non-DA group, whereas GRIA1 and OT mRNA expression levels were lower in the DA group. Concurrently, salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were significantly higher in the DA group.

Conclusion

Dental anxiety may be associated with altered stress-related molecular expression and salivary biomarkers. These findings provide preliminary evidence of peripheral molecular and salivary changes associated with dental anxiety and may contribute to understanding its biological correlates.