Effects of periodontitis and periodontal treatment on systemic inflammatory markers and metabolic profile in obese and non-obese rats

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970)
• Main Authors: Pereira, Karina Kimiko Yamashina, Jara, Cynthia Mireya, Antunes, Géssica Luana, Gomes, Maximiliano Schünke, Rösing, Cassiano Kuchenbecker, Cavagni, Juliano, Haas, Alex Nogueira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2022
• Subjects: scaling and root planing; rats; inflammation; obesity; periodontitis
• ISSN: 1943-3670
• DOI: 10.1002/JPER.21-0575

Little is known about a synergistic effect of periodontitis and obesity on systemic biomarkers and a possible effect periodontal treatment may exert. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of periodontitis and periodontal treatment on systemic inflammation and metabolic profile in obese and non-obese rats. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided in six groups differentiated by diet and periodontal status: no periodontitis (G1 and G4), untreated ligature-induced periodontitis (G2 and G5), and treated ligature-induced periodontitis (G3 and G6). Groups G4, G5, and G6 were exposed to cafeteria diet to induce obesity. Periodontitis was induced by silk ligatures over 4 weeks (G2, G3, G5, and G6). Rats in G3 and G6 received scaling and root planing and were followed for additional 4 weeks. After sacrifice, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17a, tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (TC) were compared between groups. CRP was significantly higher in obese rats with than without periodontitis (G5 = 10.15 versus G4 = 4.47 μg/L, P = 0.01). No beneficial effects of periodontal treatment were observed for CRP levels, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17a, and TNF-α, glucose and triglycerides. Treated periodontitis (G6) exhibited significantly lower TC than the periodontitis group (G5) in obese rats. Periodontitis increased serum CRP in obese rats, indicating a synergistic role of periodontitis in the systemic inflammatory burden triggered by obesity. The treatment of induced periodontitis reduced TC levels in obese rats.