Interleukin-1 Genetic Variations Influence Obesity Effect in Periodontal Disease Progression

Interleukin Genetics Provides New Evidence for Role of IL-1

Genetic Variations in Determining Impact of Obesity on Chronic Inflammatory

Diseases

WALTHAM,

Mass., Aug. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interleukin Genetics, Inc.

(OTCQB:ILIU) a life science company focused on the genetics of chronic

inflammation, today announced the publication of the article “Influence of

Obesity on Periodontitis Progression is Conditional on IL-1 Inflammatory

Genetic Variation” in the Journal

of Periodontology (http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2016.160408). 

The article is the result of a scientific collaboration with key researchers at

Boston University and strongly supports the value of Interleukin-1 (IL-1)

genetics in amplifying the negative impact of obesity.

“Interleukin

Genetics continues to build scientific support for the clinical value of IL-1

genetic information,” said Ken Kornman, Chief Scientific Officer. “This study

shows the important role of IL-1 genetic variations in periodontitis

progression in obesity, a growing epidemic worldwide.”

The

study, which evaluated the influence of IL-1 genetic patterns on periodontal

progression, was conducted on 292 participants from the Department of Veterans

Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study. The analysis found significant interactions

between IL-1 genetic variations and obesity-related traits in predicting

periodontal disease progression. Participants who were both obese and IL-1 test

positive were 70% more likely to experience periodontal disease progression

than those without these risk factors.

“This

study provides further evidence that obese and over-weight patients who are

IL-1 positive will benefit from more intensive dental management,” said Mark B.

Carbeau, Chief Executive Officer of Interleukin Genetics. “Based on these

findings, we are including expanded education and engagement tools for this

high risk population into our product, thus further enhancing value to patients

and employers who offer this expanded benefit.”