Leptin Effects on the Regenerative Capacity of Human Periodontal Cells

Figure 6

Hypothetical scheme illustrating the possible involvement of leptin in the relationship of obesity with periodontal destruction and compromised periodontal healing. The hormone leptin, whose plasma and gingival crevicular fluid levels are increased in obese individuals, inhibits the production of growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules by PDL cells under normal (absence of EMD) and regenerative (presence of EMD) conditions, which in turn could favor periodontal destruction and compromised periodontal healing, respectively.