Role of serum cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the association between body weight and periodontal infection

• Published in: Journal of clinical periodontology 2009-02, Vol.36 (2), p.100-105
• Main Authors: Saxlin, Tuomas, Suominen-Taipale, Liisa, Leiviskä, Jaana, Jula, Antti, Knuuttila, Matti, Ylöstalo, Pekka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial Infections - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Chronic Periodontitis - blood; Chronic Periodontitis - complications; Dentistry; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Humans; IL-6; Interleukin-6 - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; periodontal infection; Periodontal Pocket - blood; Periodontal Pocket - complications; Regression Analysis; TNF-α; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood
• ISSN: 0303-6979; 1600-051X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2008.01350.x

Aim: To study the role of serum cytokines tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) as potential mediators in the association between body weight and periodontal infection among an adult population. Material and Methods: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Health Examination Survey, which included dentate non‐diabetic, non‐rheumatic subjects, aged between 45 and 64 years, who had never smoked and whose serum levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were analysed and whose periodontal status was clinically determined (effective n=425). The number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 4 mm or more and the number of teeth with periodontal pockets of 6 mm or more were used as outcome variables. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models. Results: Serum IL‐6, but not TNF‐α associated with teeth with deepened periodontal pockets. Multivariate models showed that IL‐6, but not TNF‐α, could mediate the effect of body weight on periodontium. Conclusion: In this population of non‐diabetic and non‐rheumatic subjects, who had never smoked, serum IL‐6 was associated with periodontal infection. The results suggest that serum IL‐6 could be one mediating factor that connects body weight and periodontal infection.