Is obesity a possible modifier of periodontal disease as a chronic inflammatory process? A case-control study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted to provide a comparative evaluation of clinical periodontal measurements, together with serum levels of certain bioactive peptides and inflammatory cytokines, in relation to obesity. For this purpose, clinical periodontal measurements and the levels of serum leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 of obese female individuals and their nonobese counterparts were compared.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty obese (body mass index (BMI) > 30) and 31 nonobese (BMI < 30) female subjects were recruited for the present study. Before any periodontal intervention, serum samples were obtained and full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements were recorded at six sites per tooth. ELISA was used for the biochemical analysis. Data were tested statistically.

RESULTS

Clinical attachment level was significantly higher in the obese group compared with the nonobese control group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of leptin and IL-6 were significantly higher in the obese group (p < 0.05). BMI correlated with the serum levels of inflammatory molecules (p < 0.05), but not with clinical periodontal parameters, in the obese group.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, obesity does not seem to have a prominent effect on clinical periodontal parameters but it does have many correlations with circulating inflammatory molecules. As suggested in the literature, increased levels of leptin and IL-6 in the obese group might be one explanation for a possible relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. A prospective study is warranted to clarify, in greater detail, the effects of obesity on periodontal health.

Thermogenic response and leptin levels rise after recovery of the euthyroid state

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the study were to compare: a) the thermogenic responses in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and euthyroid state; b) the relationship between thermogenic response and leptin level.

METHODS

Thirty women diagnosed with SH (mean age 39.9+/-4.1 yr; body mass index 23.2+/-2.5 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in the study. Thyroid function tests, leptin, and lipid profiles were measured during SH and after stable euthyroidism was recovered. Thermogenic response was measured by Water Immersion Calorimetry during SH and after the euthyroid state was attained.

RESULTS

The mean level of thermogenic response was found to be 1.45+/-0.43 kcal/kg*h in women with SH. It changed to 1.54+/-0.77 kcal/kg*h (p=0.01) in the euthyroid state; the change was statistically significant. Mean level of leptin was found to be 7.22+/-2.6 ng/ml in SH; and 15.8+/-8.0 ng/ml in the euthyroid state. There was a positive correlation between leptin and free T(3) (r=0.460, p=0.009) levels in SH. There were positive correlations between leptin level and fat mass in SH (r=0.820, p=0.01) and in the euthyroid state (r=0.700, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

No correlations were found between thermogenic response and leptin levels in SH and in the euthyroid state. Thermogenic response and leptin levels rose after the euthyroid state was recovered.

Effects of sibutramine on thermogenesis in obese patients assessed via immersion calorimetry

Glucose utilization studies show that sibutramine-induced thermogenesis is mediated via selective sympathetic activation of brown adipose tissue. The goal of the present study was to use a new calorimetry method in which resting metabolic rate is enhanced to evaluate the effects of sibutramine treatment on thermogenesis. Sixty obese women were included in the study. Subjects were divided into 2 equal groups-the placebo and sibutramine treatment groups. The sibutramine group was given sibutramine 10 mg daily for 12 wk. At baseline and at the end of the 12-wk treatment period, thermogenic measurements were taken with the use of water immersion calorimetry. Subjects were examined at weeks 4, 8, and 12 of treatment to identify adverse effects. Body mass index, measured at 31.5+/-2.05 kg/m2 in the placebo group, decreased to 30.4+/-2.94 kg/m(2) after 12 wk (P=.07). In the sibutramine group, it decreased from 33.5+/-4.1 kg/m(2) to 30.9+/-4.8 kg/m(2) (P<.05). In the sibutramine group, mean thermogenic response changed from a baseline value of 1.27+/-0.29 kcal/kg/h to 1.44+/-0.13 kcal/kg/h after 12 wk of treatment. In the placebo group, the baseline value was 1.56+/-0.27 kcal/kg/h; it changed to 1.33+/-0.36 kcal/kg/h at the end of 12 wk. The findings of this study suggest that sibutramine treatment promotes thermogenesis, thus facilitating weight loss. Calorimetry enhances resting metabolism through more efficient heat transfer from the body.

Dehydroepiandrosterone and human adipose tissue

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether DHEA alters the proliferation and differentiation of human sc and visceral adipose cells in primary cultures.

METHOD

Sc and omental adipose tissue was obtained from 10 female donors aged 36+/-3.6 yr with a body mass index (BMI) of 33+/-3.21 kg/m2. Stromal vascular cells were isolated and cultured using modified procedures described by Entenmann and Hauner. For the proliferation assay, stromal-vascular cells from sc and visceral adipose tissue cultures were fed with proliferation media containing 0, 25 or 100 microM DHEA for 3 days. At the end of this treatment period, two type cultures were prepared for determining their metabolic activity using the sulforhodamine B staining procedure.

RESULTS

The metabolic activity of proliferating human visceral adipose tissue was higher than sc adipose tissue. The activity of proliferating human visceral tissue cultures decreased more than the sc tissue as the level of DHEA in the cultures was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that DHEA predominantly influences the proliferation and differentiation of human omental adipose tissue.