Increased serum leptin and decreased dental caries associated with overweight or obesity in children

Abstract

Salivary and serum leptin are upregulated in overweight or obese (OWOB) adults, but this relationship is not established in young children. Salivary leptin may influence dental bacterial colonization leading to differences in incidence of caries between OWOB and lean controls (CON). The objectives were to determine if BMI, serum leptin and salivary leptin are correlated in children aged 2–7 and to determine if number of decayed and filled surfaces (DFS) in teeth differs between OWOB and CON.Children aged 2–7 were recruited, blood serum was collected and BMI was calculated. Serum leptin was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Number of teeth, and DFS were recorded after radiographic and clinical exam. Data were analyzed using ANOVA accepting p<0.05 as significant.Serum leptin was significantly elevated in OWOB versus CON and correlated with BMI. CON and OWOB females produced more leptin than males. Salivary leptin was not detectable via conventional RIA in this population. Total number of teeth did not significantly differ between OWOB and CON. OWOB had significantly fewer decayed teeth, and fewer anterior DFS.Children as young as 2 exhibit elevated serum leptin levels. Females are more prone to this effect than males. Salivary leptin is not detectable by conventional methods in this population. OWOB children had significantly less dental decay.