# Irisin, a promising adipomyokine, shows low levels in relation to periodontal diseases, unlike visfatin and IL-6 (case-control study)

**Authors:** Farah Sabah Salim, Saif S. Saliem

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1614433 · 2025-11-06

## TL;DR

This study found that irisin levels are lower in people with gum disease, while visfatin and IL-6 are higher, suggesting these biomarkers may help predict periodontal disease risk.

## Contribution

The study identifies irisin as a potential biomarker for periodontal disease, contrasting with visfatin and IL-6.

## Key findings

- Irisin levels were significantly lower in gingivitis and periodontitis patients compared to healthy controls.
- Visfatin and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with gum disease compared to controls.
- Irisin showed a negative association with periodontal clinical measures, while visfatin and IL-6 showed positive associations.

## Abstract

Adipose tissue releases pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and hormones such as irisin, visfatin, and interleukin-6, which may be linked to periodontal diseases.

Our study aimed to determine salivary irisin, visfatin, and interleukin-6 levels in gingivitis and periodontitis patients, compare them with healthy periodontal patients, and evaluate the association between these biomarkers.

Ninety participants were involved in this case-control study: 30 patients diagnosed with periodontitis (P), 30 patients with gingivitis (G), and 30 periodontally healthy subjects (control; C). The periodontal clinical parameters were documented. The ELISA test examined irisin, visfatin, and interleukin-6 saliva levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS (V.29).

Irisin significantly decreased in gingivitis and periodontitis compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, gingivitis and periodontitis reported elevated levels of visfatin and interleukin-6 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Visfatin levels did not significantly change between gingivitis and periodontitis (p > 0.05). All periodontal clinical measures showed a significant negative association with irisin (p < 0.05), except plaque index in the gingivitis group. At the same time, visfatin and interleukin-6 showed significant positive relationships with all clinical periodontal markers (p < 0.05).

Salivary irisin levels were reduced in individuals with gingivitis and periodontitis, whereas visfatin and interleukin-6 levels were elevated. These biomarkers may predict susceptibility to periodontal disease.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** FNDC5 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5), NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), IL6 (interleukin 6)
- **Diseases:** gingivitis (MONDO:0002508), periodontitis (MONDO:0005076)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, FNDC5 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5) [NCBI Gene 252995] {aka FRCP2, irisin}, NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) [NCBI Gene 10135] {aka 1110035O14Rik, PBEF, PBEF1, VF, VISFATIN}
- **Diseases:** gingivitis (MESH:D005891), periodontitis (MESH:D010518), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), periodontal disease (MESH:D010510)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12631221/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12631221