Apelin - A New Kid on the Block in Periodontology

Area of Science:

• Oral Biology
• Endocrinology
• Immunology

Background:

• Periodontitis is linked to systemic diseases, with potential causal relationships.
• Adipokines are hypothesized to mediate interactions between periodontal and systemic conditions.
• Apelin, an adipokine, and its receptor are present in periodontal cells, but its role is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on the apelin-APJ system.
• To elucidate the pathomechanistic links between periodontitis and obesity.
• To assess the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of apelin in periodontitis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on the apelin-APJ system.
• Analysis of in vitro data regarding apelin's effects on inflammatory and proteolytic molecules.
• Examination of associations between serum apelin levels and systemic diseases.

Main Results:

• In vitro studies suggest apelin promotes bacterial-induced inflammatory and proteolytic molecule synthesis.
• Elevated serum apelin levels in diabetes and obesity may link these conditions to periodontitis.
• A bidirectional influence between apelin in periodontium and systemic diseases is plausible.

Conclusions:

• Apelin may have a significant etiopathogenic role in periodontitis.
• Systemic conditions like obesity and diabetes might promote periodontitis via apelin.
• Further clinical research is essential to clarify apelin's role in oral health and its systemic interactions.