Levels of serum retinol-binding protein 4 before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment in lean and obese subjects: An interventional study

AimWe aimed to evaluate serum RBP4 levels before and after periodontal therapy in lean and obese subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP) in order to determine its possible association with periodontitis. Materials and MethodsThis is an interventional study for which a total of 112 lean and 119 obese subjects were recruited. Patients with CP were evaluated before and after three months of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Periodontal, anthropometric, biochemical parameters and serum levels of TNF-, IL-6, hs-CRP and RBP4 were assessed. ResultsSerum RBP4 levels were associated with an increased probability of periodontitis (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.02-2.50), showing patients with CP to have higher RBP4 levels than those without CP in both lean and obese populations (3.35 vs 3.06 and 3.74 vs 3.21, respectively). Following periodontal treatment, RBP4 and TNF- decreased, and all periodontal parameters improved to the same extent in both groups, except for number of teeth with probing depth (PD) 4mm, which improved to a less extent in obese than in lean subjects. In the multivariable regression model, the number of teeth with PD 4mm was independently associated with RBP4 (=0.192). ConclusionRBP4 was associated with chronic periodontitis before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment.