Understanding periodontal diseases and diabetes through resolvins

Introduction: Periodontal diseases are a group of diseases affecting the gingival, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, or the cementum of the oral cavity. They are highly prevalent and have been associated with many different systemic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Resolvins are a recently discovered set of pro-resolving molecules shown to influence inflammation in both periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Published Studies: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are possibly linked through their inflammation inducing characteristics. Local inflammation produced by periodontal diseases influence systemic inflammation seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus and vice versa. Resolvins have been shown to positively influence periodontitis through superoxide inhibition, inducing bone regrowth, reducing systemic inflammation, osteoclast modulation, and increasing neutrophil phagocytosis. Resolvins have also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in obese and diabetic mice. Conclusion: Because periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been linked through their inflammatory nature, the influence of resolvins on both diseases can possibly elucidate connections between the two diseases. The identification of shared receptors between resolvins and other inflammatory molecules could possibly provide clues to the mechanisms which our bodies control inflammation in these diseased states. The potential for resolvins in treatment of periodontal diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus is promising, and further research is needed to identify all effects that resolvins have on the body.

Grantor dc:publisher

Boston University

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Cheng, David

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Dc Identifier Other

(ALMA)contemp

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.bu.edu:2144/12324