The Role of Visfatin in Obesity and Periodontal Disease

Visfatin is an adipokine that plays an important role in immune functions as a growth factor, enzyme, and proinflammatory mediator. The investigators aimed to determine the levels of visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in both obese/non-obese patients, with/without generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP). Patients were categorized as obese (O) (n=31) or non-obese (nO) (n=19). Groups were divided into four subgroups according to periodontal conditions: (1) periodontally healthy without obesity (nO-Ctrl); (2) GCP without obesity (nO-CP); (3) periodontally healthy with obesity (O-Ctrl); and (4) GCP with obesity (O-CP). Demographic variables and anthropometric and laboratory data were recorded. Periodontal measurements were recorded at baseline and 3rd months after either non-surgical periodontal treatment or calorie restricted diet therapy. At the same time GCF samples were taken from patients to analyze TNF-alpha, IL-6, and visfatin levels.