Analysis of Selected Salivary Adipokines and Cytokines in Patients with Obesity—A Pilot Study

Obesity is a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease that produces many adverse health, social and economic effects. The aim of the study was to analyse the concentrations of selected proinflammatory parameters in the saliva of obese and normal body weight individuals. The study included 116 people divided into two groups: the study group (n = 75, subjects with obesity) and the control group (n = 41, individuals with normal body weight). Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed, and saliva samples were collected from all study participants to determine the concentrations of selected proinflammatory adipokines and cytokines. Statistically significantly higher concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9 and IL-1β were found in the saliva of obese women compared to women with normal body weight. Furthermore, statistically significantly higher concentrations of MMP-9, IL-6 and resistin were observed in the saliva of obese men compared to men with normal body weight. Higher concentrations of selected proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines were found in the saliva of obese individuals compared to individuals with normal body weight. It is likely that higher concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9 and IL-1β can be detected in the saliva of obese women compared to non-obese women, while higher concentrations of MMP-9, IL-6 and resistin can be found in the saliva of obese men compared to non-obese men, which suggests that further research to confirm our observations and determine the mechanisms of development of metabolic complications associated with obesity depending on gender is needed.