Alterations in salivary biomarkers in relation to periodontal health and obesity among Hong Kong adolescents

Qianyi Deng; Hai Ming Wong; Simin Peng

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105055

Alterations in salivary biomarkers in relation to periodontal health and obesity among Hong Kong adolescents

J Dent. 2024 May 10:146:105055. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105055. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Qianyi Deng¹, Hai Ming Wong², Simin Peng³

Affiliations

¹ Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, PR China.
² Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
³ Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. Electronic address: pengsm@hku.hk.

PMID: 38735470
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105055

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the association among salivary biomarkers, periodontal inflammation, and adiposity status in adolescents.

Methods: This study included 180 Hong Kong adolescents aged 12-15 years. Anthropometric measurements including central obesity surrogate, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and dental examinations were conducted. The participants were classified into four groups as follows: with normal WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+LP); with high WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+LP); with normal WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+P); and with high WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+P). Saliva were collected to measure salivary physicochemical parameters, total bacterial load, and levels of protein biomarkers including secretory phospholipase A₂ group IIA (sPLA₂-IIA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results: Salivary IL-6 levels and sPLA₂-IIA and IL-6 output differed significantly between groups (P = 0.041, 0.027, and 0.043, respectively). The NW+P group had significantly higher salivary IL-6 output than the NW+LP group (P = 0.034) and significantly lower salivary sPLA₂-IIA output than the HW+LP group (P = 0.038). Salivary IL-6 levels were negatively correlated with the number of sextants with healthy gingivae and positively correlated with salivary sPLA₂-IIA levels in participants with normal WHtR. Salivary sPLA₂-IIA levels were negatively correlated with total salivary bacterial load in participants with high WHtR.

Conclusions: Salivary IL-6 levels were associated with the extent of periodontal inflammation in participants with normal WHtR but not in those with high WHtR. Adolescents with different adiposity status may have different mechanisms of periodontal inflammation.

Clinical significance: Investigating salivary biomarkers of periodontal health holds potential benefits in identifying individuals at risk and customizing oral health promotion strategies for individuals with varying levels of adiposity, even as early as adolescence.

Keywords: Abdominal obesity; Interleukin-6; Paediatric obesity; Periodontal diseases; Phospholipases A2; Saliva.