Assessment of leptin concentration in peri-implant sulcular fluid during osseointegration of implants: Does it really vary?

Abstract

Aim: Adequate bone healing is a prerequisite for implant success. Leptin plays an important role in regulating energy balance, increasing the activity of osteoblasts and decreasing the activity of osteoclasts. This study sought to assess the concentration of leptin in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) during the process of osseointegration. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 20 patients qualified for implant placement. Samples were obtained from PISF at 10, 30 and 60 days following the placement of implants. A sample was also obtained from the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) around a sound natural tooth in the opposite quadrant of the same jaw. The implant and the natural control tooth were isolated and samples of the PISF and GCF were obtained by inserting an absorbent paper strip into the sulcus for 30 seconds. Absorbent paper strips were then stored in microtubes at -20°C until the experiment. Samples were analyzed using leptin ELISA kit. Descriptive statistics were computed and the P value was set at .05. Results: The patients had a mean age of 45.1±12.6 years (range 21-68 years). The mean concentration of leptin in PISF was 1771.5±694.7 pg/mL at 10, 1675.9±423.9 pg/mL at 30 and 1651.5±608.6 pg/mL at 60 days. The mean concentration of leptin was 1754.9±625.2 pg/mL in GCF of the natural tooth on the day of surgery. Conclusions: Although leptin concentration varied and there is some difference in samples, it was not significantly different in PISF at 10, 30 and 60 days post-implantation.