Plaque-induced gingivitis (PIG) is one of the most widely distributed oral disorders in children. We aimed to identify the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the unstimulated whole saliva of children with different degrees of PIG. The study included 45 healthy children (aged between 4–14 years). The participants were divided into four groups according to their Silness–Löe plaque index and Löe–Silness gingival index. ELISA methods for the quantification of salivary IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP were used. The highest levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP were recorded in the group with severe gingivitis—14.96 pg/mL, 28.94 pg/mL, and 490.0 pg/mL, respectively—significantly exceeding those in the control group (9.506 pg/mL, 16.93 pg/mL and 254.4 pg/mL, respectively). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, salivary IL-1β and CRP showed good diagnostic accuracy (0.8 ≤ AUC < 0.9) and IL-6 showed fair diagnostic accuracy (0.7 ≤ AUC < 0.8) with statistical significance to distinguish between children with a moderate degree of PIG and those with a severe degree of PIG. Sensitivity for IL-6, CRP, and IL-1β was 87.5% (p < 0.05), 87.5% (p < 0.01), and 75% (p < 0.01), respectively, and specificity was 63.16% (p < 0.05), 78.95% (p < 0.01), 83.33% (p < 0.01), respectively. Based on our results, we suggest salivary IL-1β and CRP as potential diagnostic tools that can be used to differentiate between moderate and severe PIG.

The incidence of male fertility disorders has increased greatly due to various genetic and lifestyle factors. Recently, it has been hypothesized that vitamin D may be involved with idiopathic infertility. The goal of the study was to determine the effect and relationship between blood vitamin D metabolites, intracellular sperm vitamin D levels, and gene expression of 1‐α‐hydroxylase and VDR, with regard to semen quality. Seventy volunteers aged 25–45 were involved in the study. According to spermogram analysis, participants were stratified into normozoospermic control group, non‐normozoospermic target group, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic group. Vitamin D metabolites (total 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol) in blood and spermatozoa were determined by ELISA. Free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol were calculated using the Vermeulen equation. mRNA expression of VDR and 1‐α hydroxylase was evaluated by qPCR. Free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol were significantly higher in the control group compared to the target group and compared to the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic group . Intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol was higher in the control group compared to the target group. The mRNA levels of 1‐ α‐hydroxylase were significantly higher in the control samples, while VDR expression was significantly higher in the target group. Significant positive correlations were established between free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol with sperm motility and morphology. Vitamin D metabolites in blood and intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol seem to exert beneficial effects on sperm motility and morphology. Regarding sperm quality, these effects are more pronounced in the free and bioavailable 25OHD compared to the total 25OHD in blood. Higher expression of 1‐α‐hydroxylase likely leads to higher intracellular levels of 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol, which could contribute to sperm motility and morphology. Higher VDR expression may be a compensatory mechanism related to lower intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate how the frequent sugar and protein intake is associated with the severity of plaque-induced gingivitis in children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 38 subjects (4-14 years) at a mean age of 8.5 ± 2.32 years with diagnosed plaque-induced gingivitis based on the Löe-Silness Gingival Index (GI) (0 < GI ≤ 3). The gingival status was assessed by the Silness Lőe Plaque Index (PLI), GI, and Papillary Bleeding Index by Saxer and Muhlemann. The nutritional status was established through an in-depth questionnaire on protein and sugar intake. Results: The increased frequency of sugar consumption in children with plaque-induced gingivitis is related to enhanced gingival inflammation. Higher values of PLI among the rep- resentatives were established with frequent sugar intake (P = .04). Frequent dairy protein con- sumption was associated with lower levels of PLI (P = .04). This index is indicative of the amount of accumulated dental plaque, which is the main etiological factor involved in plaque-induced gingivitis. Conclusion: It can be concluded that uncontrolled sugar consumption in children was asso- ciated with enhancement of the severity of plaque-induced gingivitis. Frequent dairy protein intake has the potential to serve as an essential prevention strategy regarding the onset and aggravation of plaque-induced gingival inflammation in childhood. A well-balanced diet, rich in proteins and with restricted sugar intake, is considered a possible tool in the prevention and control of plaque-induced gingivitis in childhood. Cite this article as: Salim A, Angelova S, Roussev B, et al. Association between frequency of sugar and protein intake and severity of plaque-induced gingivitis in children. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2025;60(3):319-325.

Background: The rate of male infertility has increased in the last decades. One factor that may improve sperm quality and testosterone is fish consumption, which supplies the organism with essential nutrients.Aim: To determine evidence of a relationship between the frequency of fish consumption and sperm quality.Methods: Seventy‐four healthy men, aged 25–45 years, were involved in this observational study. Semen quality was evaluated by spermogram analyses and testosterone was measured in blood. Volunteers were classified as low, moderate, and high fish consumption groups according to the replies indicated in a questionnaire they had to fill out.Results: The moderate fish consumption group showed better semen quality with all spermogram parameters in the reference range and the low fish consumption group manifested the worst semen quality with sperm morphology below the reference range. The low fish consumption group had lower testosterone levels (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 4.3 ± 1.5; p = 0.04), decreased nonprogressive spermatozoa (11.9 ± 6.2 vs. 15.8 ± 8.2; p = 0.04), and lower semen volume (3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 3.6 ± 1.3; p = 0.06) compared to the moderate fish consumption group. Positive associations were detected between the frequency of fish consumption, the semen volume, and nonprogressive spermatozoa, respectively.Conclusions: Fish consumption at moderate level such as once a week leads to improvement in sperm quality and testosterone levels.

The aim of our study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption on sperm quality. Anthropometric data, blood and ejaculate samples were collected from 60 healthy men. Information about lifestyle habits was obtained by a questionnaire. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured by ELISA method. Semen quality was evaluated by sperm analyses. Depending on their 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels and lifestyle habits, the participants were stratified into different groups. Sperm parameters were compared between the groups. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were highest in normozoospermic group compared with non-normozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups, respectively. The percentage of normal sperm morphology was higher in the group with vitamin D sufficiency compared with vitamin D insufficiency. Obesity and heavy alcohol consumption affected negatively sperm morphology. Frequency of smoking negatively correlated with semen volume. The combined effect of variables contributed up to 16.5% to sperm quality. The strongest predictor of the normal morphology of the spermatozoa was 25-hydroxicholecalciferol. Men with the highest percentage of normal sperm morphology were those with higher vitamin D blood levels and lower BMI, moderate alcohol consumption and non-smokers.