Obesity and periodontitis: An experimental study to evaluate periodontal and systemic effects of comorbidity

Obesity and overweight have been associated with periodontitis. This study aims to evaluate periodontal and systemic effects of this association in a validated experimental model.

Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control group (Con) (fed with standard diet); 2) high-fat diet group (HFD) (fed with a diet containing 35.2% fat); 3) control group with induced periodontitis (Con-Perio); and 4) HFD group with induced periodontitis (HFD-Perio). To induce periodontitis, oral gavages with Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC W83K1 and Fusobacterium nucleatum DMSZ 20482 were used. Periodontal outcomes were evaluated by inflammatory parameters, periodontal probing depth (PD), and modified gingival index (MGI). Systemic effects were evaluated by measuring levels of inflammatory cytokines, insulin, adiponectin, and leptin using multiplex immunoassays and levels of visfatin, resistin, lipid profiles, transaminases, and plasma endotoxin using colorimetric tests and the glucose tolerance test.

Clinical parameters (PD and MGI) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the induced periodontitis groups compared with controls. The HFD-Perio group demonstrated significantly higher PD compared with Con-Perio group. Lipid profiles, cytokines, and adipocytokines showed significantly elevated levels in the HFD-Perio group compared with the other groups. Similarly, glucose levels in the HFD-Perio group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the HFD group, and hepatic damage parameters demonstrated a tendency toward higher levels in the HFD-Perio group.

Obesity and periodontitis demonstrated a comorbidity effect on both systemic inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation biomarkers, with increased glucose, dyslipidemia and hepatic damage.