Diabetes is known to alter salivary antioxidant status. As obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, we aimed to determine whether obesity independently modulates oxidant and antioxidant levels in saliva.
Method:
We have examined 39 individuals (aged 33 ± 6 years; 85% women) with simple obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and 43 individuals (matched for age and sex) with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). None of the participants suffered from overt diabetes or took medication known to affect saliva secretion. Samples of unstimulated whole mixed saliva were collected under standardized conditions and analyzed for selected oxidants and antioxidants with use of colorimetric or immune assays. Results were expressed as a mean ± SD.
Result:
Total antioxidant capacity of the saliva did not differ between the groups. Similarly, there was no difference in salivary concentrations of known antioxidants: catalase, superoxide dismutase, and uric acid. By contrast, the level of leukocyte-derived myeloperoxidase was significantly increased in obese individuals (343.8 ± 120.6 vs. 254.6 ± 138.9 ng/ml; p<0.0014). Interestingly, myeloperoxidase concentrations correlated significantly with probing pocket depth (PPD) in obese individuals (Spearman r=0.6467; p=0.0015) but not in the controls. PPD itself did not differ between the groups (0.9 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.5 mm).
Conclusion:
Obesity per se is associated with increased salivary levels of myeloperoxidase, which may predispose to unfavorable changes in the periodontium.