Apelin Enhances the Effects of on Periodontal Ligament Cells In Vitro.

This study aimed to explore effects of with or without apelin on periodontal ligament (PDL) cells to better understand pathomechanistic links between periodontitis and obesity. First, the actions of on COX2, CCL2, and MMP1 expressions were assessed. Subsequently, PDL cells were incubated with in the presence and absence of apelin to study the modulatory effects of this adipokine on molecules related to inflammation and hard and soft tissue turnover. Regulation of apelin and its receptor (APJ) by was also studied. resulted in elevated COX2, CCL2, and MMP1 expressions in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Combination of and apelin led to the highest ( < 0.05) expression levels of COX2, CCL2, CXCL8, TNF-α, and MMP1 at 48 h. The effects of and/or apelin on CCL2 and MMP1 were MEK1/2- and partially NF-κB-dependent. The combined effects of and apelin on CCL2 and MMP1 were also observed at protein level. Moreover, downregulated ( < 0.05) the apelin and APJ expressions. In conclusion, obesity could contribute to periodontitis through apelin. The local production of apelin/APJ in PDL cells also suggests a role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.