Salivary Soluble CD40 Ligand Levels and Their Relationship to Periodontal Markers in Patients with Periodontitis and/or Obesity: An Observational Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: sCD40L, a co-stimulatory molecule that activates T-helper cells, is one of many mediators that regulate the inflammatory conditions of periodontitis and obesity. Additionally, the association of this biomarker with periodontitis and obesity has not been robustly investigated. Objective: Evaluation of salivary levels of sCD40L in periodontitis and obese patients in comparison to healthy controls and their association with different periodontal parameters. Methods: 110 subjects were enrolled in this study. Salivary samples were obtained prior to the clinical examination. They were divided into four groups: the first group (20 subjects) was the control group; the second group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2); the third group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with periodontitis; and the fourth group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with periodontitis and obesity. A periodontal examination was performed to report plaque index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Obesity was assessed using the body mass index (BMI). Results: Both periodontitis and obese patients demonstrated elevated salivary sCD40L levels compared to healthy subjects. sCD40L was positively correlated with PLI in periodontitis patients and with PPD in obese periodontitis patients. Conclusions: A significant association between sCD40L, periodontitis, and obesity was reported, implicating sCD40L's role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.