Influence of periodontitis and scaling and root planing on insulin resistance and hepatic CD36 in obese rats.

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the influence of periodontitis and scaling and root planing (SRP) on insulin resistance and hepatic CD36 in obese rats with periodontitis.

Methods: Thirty-two specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals each as follows: healthy rats (healthy group), obese rats (obesity group), obese rats with periodontitis (non-therapy group), and obese rats with periodontitis who underwent periodontal SRP (therapy group). Rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to build an obesity model. Periodontal inflammation was induced by performing periodontal ligation with Porphyromonas gingivalis. The tissue around the maxillary second molars, bilaterally, were collected. The periodontal attachment level (from the cemento-enamel junction to the bottom of the periodontal pocket) of the second molars was measured in all groups. All rats were subjected to fasting blood glucose, insulin, and serum C-reactive protein tests (CRP). Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and area under the curve (AUC). The liver was excised to detect intrahepatic free fatty acid (FFA) levels and pathologic observation. Real-time quantification PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect hepatic CD36 expression.

Results: Compared with the obesity group, HOMA-IR, AUC, intrahepatic FFA, and protein expression, and mRNA levels of hepatic CD36 in the non-therapy group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). HOMA-IR, AUC, CRP, protein expression, and mRNA levels of hepatic CD36 were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05) 2-weeks after SRP.

Conclusions: Periodontitis increases insulin resistance while scaling and root planning could improve insulin resistance. Hepatic CD36 regulation may be considered a potential mechanism for this phenomenon.