Serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level associated with the extent of periodontal inflammation in type 1 diabetic subjects

Abstract

AIM: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in protection against cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether a protective association also exists between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation in type 1 diabetic subjects (T1DM). METHODS: Plaque and periodontal inflammation (bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm) were examined in 80 subjects with T1DM. The serum levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c, %) and HDL (mmol/l) were determined. Adjusted associations between inflammation and serum HDL were analysed using linear regression analysis. To study the linearity of the association, the subjects were categorized into HDL tertiles (I-III). RESULTS: A statistically significant negative association was observed between serum HDL level and the extent of bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm. Subjects in HDL tertiles II and III (high HDL) presented significantly fewer inflamed sites when compared with the subjects in tertile I (low HDL), whereas no significant difference in the number of inflamed sites was observed between tertiles II and III. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the finding of a negative association between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation, HDL may be considered a marker of susceptibility to periodontal inflammation. A longitudinal study is needed to verify possible causal relationship between serum HDL and inflammation.