Periodontal therapy decreases serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein in systemically healthy subjects: a pilot clinical trial.

Background And Objective: Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is expressed in adipocytes, macrophages and microvascular endothelial cells, and it plays a central role in inflammation, atherosclerosis and metabolic responses. This pilot study investigated the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on the serum levels of A-FABP in subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Material And Methods: A pilot clinical trial was conducted in 24 otherwise healthy Chinese subjects with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. The treatment group (n = 12) received nonsurgical periodontal therapy immediately, whereas in the control group (n = 12) the treatment was delayed for 3 months. The serum levels of A-FABP were measured by ELISAs. Other inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers and periodontal conditions were evaluated at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up appointment.

Results: A-FABP levels decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group (treatment effect: -1.7 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval: -2.8 to -0.6; p = 0.003). The treatment also significantly improved periodontal conditions but had no significant effect on other biomarkers. In the multivariable regression model, the change in the percentage of sites with detectable plaque was significantly associated with the change in the level of A-FABP (beta: 0.04, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.06, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this pilot study, the current findings suggest that treatment of periodontitis may significantly decrease the serum levels of A-FABP. Further longitudinal study with a large sample size is warranted to confirm this finding and elaborate the relevant clinical implications.