Salivary inflammatory markers and microbiome in normoglycemic lean and obese children compared to obese children with type 2 diabetes

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 12; no. 3; p. e0172647
• Main Authors: Janem, Waleed F, Scannapieco, Frank A, Sabharwal, Amarpeet, Tsompana, Maria, Berman, Harvey A, Haase, Elaine M, Miecznikowski, Jeffrey C, Mastrandrea, Lucy D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 02-03-2017; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adults; Analysis; Bacteria; Bioindicators; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body mass; Body mass index; Body size; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child health; Childhood obesity; Children; Chronic illnesses; Comparative analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental research; Dentistry; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Female; Gingival index; Gingivitis; Glucose; Gum disease; Health aspects; Health risks; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - metabolism; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Lesions; Male; Markers; Medicine; Medicine and Health Sciences; Metabolic disorders; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Nitric oxide; Obesity; Oral health; Oral hygiene; Pediatric Obesity - blood; Pediatric Obesity - complications; Pediatric Obesity - metabolism; Pediatric Obesity - microbiology; Pediatrics; Periodontal disease; Periodontics; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Public health; Risk factors; Saliva; Salivary Glands - metabolism; Salivary Glands - microbiology; Studies; Teenagers; Tissues; Type 2 diabetes; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172647
• EISSN: 1932-6203

There is emerging evidence linking diabetes with periodontal disease. Diabetes is a well-recognized risk factor for periodontal disease. Conversely, pro-inflammatory molecules released by periodontally-diseased tissues may enter the circulation to induce insulin resistance. While this association has been demonstrated in adults, there is little information regarding periodontal status in obese children with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). We hypothesized that children with T2D have higher rates of gingivitis, elevated salivary inflammatory markers, and an altered salivary microbiome compared to children without T2D.
Three pediatric cohorts ages 10-19 years were studied: lean (normal weight-C), obese (Ob), and obese with T2D (T2D). Each subject completed an oral health survey, received a clinical oral examination, and provided unstimulated saliva for measurement of inflammatory markers and microbiome analysis.
The diabetes group was less likely to have had a dental visit within the last six months. Body mass index (BMI) Z-scores and waist circumference/height ratios were similar between Ob and T2D cohorts. The number of carious lesions and fillings were similar for all three groups. The gingival index was greater in the T2D group compared to the Ob and C groups. Although salivary microbial diversity was minimal between groups, a few differences in bacterial genus composition were noted.
Obese children with T2D show a trend toward poorer oral health compared to normal weight and obese children without T2D. This study characterizes the salivary microbiome of children with and without obesity and T2D. This study supports a modest link between T2D and periodontal inflammation in the pediatric population.