Žana Popović

Intracellular Enzymes as Biomarkers in Periodontal Disease Diagnostics

Periodontal diseases are inflammatory conditions characterized by progressive destruction of periodontal tissues. Conventional diagnostic methods based on clinical and radiographic parameters mainly reflect previous tissue damage and provide limited information on current or subclinical disease activity. This has encouraged the exploration of molecular biomarkers capable of reflecting active biological processes within periodontal tissues.
Saliva represents a non-invasive diagnostic fluid containing numerous biomolecules released during periodontal inflammation and tissue breakdown. Among these, intracellular enzymes serve as indicators of cellular damage, increased membrane permeability, and metabolic alterations associated with periodontal disease progression. Under physiological conditions, they are present in saliva at low concentrations, whereas inflammation promotes their increased release from periodontal tissues.
Assessment of salivary intracellular enzymes may complement clinical diagnostics and support a more biologically driven approach to periodontal disease evaluation.

Dr. Žana Popović is a Specialist in Periodontology and Oral Medicine with continuous clinical practice since 2007 at a dental polyclinic in Podgorica, Montenegro. She completed her specialist training in Periodontology and Oral Medicine at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade and is currently enrolled in doctoral academic studies in Clinical Experimental Surgery, with a research focus on the impact of periodontal therapy on intracellular enzyme levels in saliva. Since 2013, she has been an ITOP lecturer for Curaprox Switzerland. Dr. Popović is the founder of the Montenegrin Society of Periodontology and Implantology and the author and co-author of several peer-reviewed scientific publications in the fields of periodontology, oral medicine, and salivary biomarkers, including studies on aggressive periodontitis and intracellular enzymes.