Periodontal Treatment reduces Leptin, CRP and CVD risk in Obese patients: Study

Periodontitis and overweight or obesity independently change serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Increased plasma levels of both leptin and CRP have been reported in a number of conditions, including obesity and inflammation, and have been linked to cardiovascular pathophysiological processes and increased cardiovascular risk.

Therefore, Notkamon Wanichkittikul and associates from the Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand conducted this study to investigate the alterations of serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and CRP after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in Thai patients with overweight or obesity (Owt/Ob) who did or did not exhibit severe periodontitis (SP) and normal weight (Nwt) patients with or without SP.

Two hundred sixty patients were screened; 29 patients were included in this study. The study participants comprised 6 patients with Owt/Ob who exhibited SP, 11 patients with Owt/Ob who did not exhibit SP, 5 Nwt patients with SP, and 7 Nwt patients without SP. Periodontal disease status was evaluated; serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, as well as at 3 and 6 months after NSPT.

The results showed that-

1. At 3 months after NSPT, periodontal status was improved in all groups (p < 0.05), except Nwt patients without SP.
2. Serum levels of leptin and CRP were significantly reduced, while serum levels of adiponectin were elevated after NSPT, regardless of body weight or waist circumference (p < 0.05).
3. Improvement in serum levels of leptin after NSPT was also observed in the Nwt with SP group (p= 0.015); these levels did not significantly differ in Nwt patients without SP.

Hence, the authors concluded that "NSPT reduces serum levels of leptin and CRP and enhances serum levels of adiponectin in Thai patients with Owt/ Ob, irrespective of periodontitis severity. These results suggest a role for periodontal treatment in the systemic inflammatory response of Thai people with Owt/Ob."