cytokines

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by the deficiency of the pancreatic hormone insulin (Type 1 DM) or due to the resistance of the peripheral cells to the insulin secreted by pancreatic β cells(Type 2 DM). It is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia. The patients are associated with symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia.Type I Diabetes is normally controlled by diet restriction, exercise and insulin therapy. Type II Diabetes is treated with various oral hypoglycaemic agents in addition to dietary restriction and exercise. In severe cases exogenous supply of insulin is also used for therapy. Periodontitis is considered to be the 6th complication of diabetes mellitus. It is a group of inflammatory diseases affecting the supporting structures that surround the tooth. It causes inflammation of gum, loss of alveolar bone and destruction of periodontal ligament. Maintaining oral hygiene is the first step in controlling periodontitis. Chlorhexidine or listerine mouthwash is used commonly. The antibiotic of choice for the treatment is Doxycycline. Diabetes promotes periodontal infection and causes periodontitis. The proinflammatory cytokines produced in response to periodontal infection increase the insulin resistance and aggravate Diabetes. Thus diabetes and periodontitis share a bidirectional relationship. The severity of periodontitis is related to the glycaemic control of the patient and not to the duration of diabetes. Control of blood glucose level and maintenance of oral heath are really important in diabetes mellitus. This article reviews the relation between diabetes mellitus and periodontal health.

Men spend about one-third of their lives asleep and sleep is responsible for memory, emotion, perception, thought, judgement and even consciousness. Sleep is not only responsible for maintenance of healthy life but also for establishment of homeostasis in biological system. Sleep deprivation is a stressor affecting the brain as well as many body systems and researchers are continuously working to understand the sleep architecture and various substances which affect sleep. Wakefulness and sleep-wake-regulation are complex states, a lot of different components and regulatory mechanisms contribute to these functions. One of the factors involved in sleep wake regulation is the immune system particularly cytokines. Interleukin-1 is a pleotrophic cytokine, serving both physiological and pathological functions including modulation of memory, mood, inflammation, appetite, brain development and sleep. This article reviews and try to elaborate various downstream pathways and mediators involved in influence of cytokines on sleep architecture.