Relationship between leptin levels and systemic inflammation indices in overweight male patients with generalized periodontitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Activation of inflammation in the periodontium is inextricably linked with systemic processes in the body, accompanied by an inflammatory response. One of these conditions is excess body weight, which in most cases is accompanied by the development of insulin resistance and hyperleptinemia. The adipose tissue hormone leptin, in conditions of insulin resistance, promotes the activation of inflammation, changes in cytokine regulation.

OBJECTIVE. To study the relationship between the clinical state of periodontal tissues, immunological indicators of systemic inflammation and leptin levels in men with generalized periodontitis in combination with excess body weight.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved 96 men aged 65–75 years with generalized periodontitis associated with excess body weight. The control group included 33 healthy individuals, the comparison group included 32 patients with generalized periodontitis. A clinical examination was performed, and serum leptin was determined by ELISA; interleukins IL-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and secretory IgA were determined in oral fluid.

RESULTS. A strong positive correlation was established between the leptin level and the periodontal indices, the content of IL-6 and TNF-а in the oral fluid (r = 0.72 and r = 0.71, respectively, at p < 0.01). The correlation between the leptin level and the content of IL-4 in the oral fluid was strongly negative (r = −0.7). The correlation between the leptin level and the content of IL-1β and secretory IgA in the oral fluid was moderately positive (r = 0.64; p < 0.01) and moderately negative (r = −0.49; p < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION. The identified correlation relationships indicate an imbalance in the cytokine system that develops under conditions of hyperleptinemia, which is accompanied by a decrease in the effectiveness of local immunity and activation of inflammation.