Anti-inflammatory Drug Reverses Periodontal Damage via Cellular Cleanup
Chinese Academy of SciencesA recent study reveals that dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a compound already approved for other inflammatory diseases, can prevent and alleviate periodontal tissue damage. The research demonstrates that DMF significantly shifts immune cell behavior, promoting anti-inflammatory macrophages and restoring mitochondrial health by enhancing mitophagy鈥攁 cellular process that removes damaged mitochondria. The drug achieves this through regulation of Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM), a protein critical to mitochondrial function. This breakthrough suggests a new therapeutic approach for periodontitis by targeting mitochondrial quality control and immune modulation rather than relying solely on traditional plaque-removal strategies.