Predicting changes in mandibular length and total anterior facial height using IGF-1, cervical stage, skeletal classification, and gender

Biomarkers in Body Fluids as Indicators of Skeletal Maturity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to critically appraise the evidence for biomarkers in blood serum, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and urine in comparison with standard radiographic indices for skeletal maturation assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough literature search in multiple databases was conducted for biomarkers in body fluids for skeletal maturation assessed with cervical vertebrae in lateral cephalograms or on hand-wrist radiographs. Different combinations including free text, MeSH terms, and Boolean operators were used. Two researchers used strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen title, abstract, and full text, and used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 instrument for risk of bias assessment of individual studies. Meta-analysis was performed on eligible studies using RevMan 5 software.

RESULTS

A total of 344 articles were screened, of which 33 met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. The skeletal maturity indicators included insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), parathormone-related protein (PTHrP), osteocalcin, metalloproteins, and serotransferrin (TF) along with different metabolites. At puberty, a significant rise was seen in IGF-1, DBP, ALP, osteocalcin, TF, and BALP. However, the serum DHEAS and PTHrP increased from pre-pubertal to post-pubertal stages. Due to the data heterogeneity, a meta-analysis could be performed on seven studies in total on IGF-1 in serum and blood. Of these, five were included for data in males and six in females, and four studies on IGF-1 in serum and blood. A significant difference in IGF-1 levels was seen between stages of peak pubertal growth spurt (CS3 and CS4) and decelerating pubertal growth (CS5) compared with growth initiation stage (CS2).

CONCLUSIONS

Pubertal growth spurts were correlated with peak serum IGF-1 and BALP in both sexes individually. Peak ALP levels in GCF were correlated with the pubertal spurt in a combined sample of males and females. Standard biofluid collection protocols and homogeneity in sampling and methodology are strongly recommended for future research.

Serum biomarkers associated with radiographic skeletal maturity indicators: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

To evaluate the relevant scientific literature to determine the association between different serum biomarker levels and radiographic skeletal maturity indicators.

Data Search, Screening and Eligibility:

A literature search was carried out on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, Science Direct and Opengrey.eu up to November 2021 and 7466 records were retrieved via the electronic search. Study selection, data extraction and subsequent risk of bias assessment (RoB) was carried out independently by two authors. In case of any discrepancy, a third author was consulted.

Results:

After the exclusion of duplicates and the application of inclusion exclusion criteria, 19 studies (published in 25 articles) were included in the systematic review out of which 17 had a cross-sectional and two had a cohort study design. For the meta-analysis, based on the homogeneity, five cross-sectional studies measuring serum IGF-1 levels were incorporated. The meta-analysis revealed that the serum IGF-1 levels peak at the CS4 stage (401.77 ng/mL [333.50 – 470.05]) in the pooled group. However, in the subgroup analysis, it was found that the serum IGF-1 levels peak at CS3 in women (422.82 ng/mL [377.46–468.18]) and CS4 in men (487.04 ng/mL [391.83–582.25]).

Conclusion:

Among the various biomarkers evaluated, serum IGF-1 was the most associated with different stages of radiographic skeletal maturity indicators with its levels peaking at CS3 in women and CS4 in men.

The Role of GH/IGF Axis in Dento-Alveolar Complex from Development to Aging and Therapeutics: A Narrative Review

The GH/IGF axis is a major regulator of bone formation and resorption and is essential to the achievement of normal skeleton growth and homeostasis. Beyond its key role in bone physiology, the GH/IGF axis has also major pleiotropic endocrine and autocrine/paracrine effects on mineralized tissues throughout life. This article aims to review the literature on GH, IGFs, IGF binding proteins, and their respective receptors in dental tissues, both epithelium (enamel) and mesenchyme (dentin, pulp, and tooth-supporting periodontium). The present review re-examines and refines the expression of the elements of the GH/IGF axis in oral tissues and their in vivo and in vitro mechanisms of action in different mineralizing cell types of the dento-alveolar complex including ameloblasts, odontoblasts, pulp cells, cementoblasts, periodontal ligament cells, and jaw osteoblasts focusing on cell-specific activities. Together, these data emphasize the determinant role of the GH/IGF axis in physiological and pathological development, morphometry, and aging of the teeth, the periodontium, and oral bones in humans, rodents, and other vertebrates. These advancements in oral biology have elicited an enormous interest among investigators to translate the fundamental discoveries on the GH/IGF axis into innovative strategies for targeted oral tissue therapies with local treatments, associated or not with materials, for orthodontics and the repair and regeneration of the dento-alveolar complex and oral bones.

Craniofacial growth predictors for class II and III malocclusions: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity of craniofacial growth predictors in class II and III malocclusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic search was conducted until August 2020 in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Bireme, Lilacs and Scielo including all languages. The articles were selected and analyzed by two authors independently and the selected studies was assessed using the 14-item Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). The quality of evidence and strength of recommendation was assessed by the GRADE tool.

RESULTS

In a selection process of two phases, 10 articles were included. The studies were grouped according to malocclusion growth predictor in (1) class II (n = 4); (2) class III (n = 5) and (3) class II and III (n = 1). The predictors were mainly based on data extracted from cephalometries and characterized by: equations, structural analysis, techniques and computer programs among others. The analyzed studies were methodologically heterogeneous and had low to moderate quality. For class II malocclusion, the predictors proposed in the studies with the best methodological quality were based on mathematical models and the Fishman system of maturation assessment. For class III malocclusion, the Fishman system could provide adequate growth prediction for short- and long-term.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the heterogeneity of the design, methodology and the quality of the articles reviewed, it is not possible to establish only a growth prediction system for class II and III malocclusion. High-quality cohort studies are needed, well defined data extraction from cephalometries, radiographies and clinical characteristics are required to design a reliable predictor.

Cervical vertebral maturation method and mandibular growth peak: a longitudinal study of diagnostic reliability

Background/objectives

The capability of the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method in the identification of the mandibular growth peak on an individual basis remains undetermined. The diagnostic reliability of the six-stage CVM method in the identification of the mandibular growth peak was thus investigated.

Subjects/Methods

From the files of the Oregon and Burlington Growth Studies (data obtained between early 1950s and middle 1970s), 50 subjects (26 females, 24 males) with at least seven annual lateral cephalograms taken from 9 to 16 years were identified. Cervical vertebral maturation was assessed according to the CVM code staging system, and mandibular growth was defined as annual increments in Co-Gn distance. A diagnostic reliability analysis was carried out to establish the capability of the circumpubertal CVM stages 2, 3, and 4 in the identification of the imminent mandibular growth peak.

Results

Variable durations of each of the CVM stages 2, 3, and 4 were seen. The overall diagnostic accuracy values for the CVM stages 2, 3, and 4 were 0.70, 0.76, and 0.77, respectively. These low values appeared to be due to false positive cases.

Limitations

Secular trends in conjunction with the use of a discrete staging system. In most of the Burlington Growth Study sample, the lateral head film at age 15 was missing.

Conclusions/Implications

None of the CVM stages 2, 3, and 4 reached a satisfactorily diagnostic reliability in the identification of imminent mandibular growth peak.

Proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid for novel biomarkers of pubertal growth peak

Background

Detection of pubertal growth peak is vital in orthodontic treatment timing and planning. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) contains abundant proteins from different sources and is an ideal source of biomarkers. The aim of this research is to detect candidate GCF biomarkers of pubertal growth by tandem mass tags (TMT) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to help diagnosis and treatment planning of functional treatment.

Methods

Forty subjects were recruited and were divided into pubertal and post-pubertal groups according to cervical vertebral maturation method. GCF samples were collected by paper points. GCF proteome of pubertal and post-pubertal subjects was compared by TMT labelling coupled with LC-MS/MS.

Results

A total of 537 proteins were detected in GCF samples, with 183 proteins detected in GCF for the first time. These proteins were involved in processes of immune response, ion transport, and signal transduction. The GCF concentration of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and seroserotransferrin (Tf) was significantly higher in pubertal than that in post-pubertal subjects. DBP and Tf, therefore, were considered to be candidate biomarkers of pubertal growth. This result was validated using GCF samples from new subjects (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that TMT labelling coupled with LC-MS/MS were proved to be a useful method for proteomic analysis of GCF with high accuracy. The expression of DBP and Tf was increased in children at circumpubertal stage and can be considered candidate biomarkers of pubertal growth.