Impact of Short-Term Dietary Restriction Combined with Amaranth and Canola Oil Supplementation on Salivary Adipokines in Adults with Obesity

Background: Adipose tissue is a crucial endocrine organ, and obesity, due to its associated chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, disrupts adipokine secretion. These adipokines can be detected not only in blood but also in saliva. Dietary changes are a crucial part of managing obesity, encompassing a balanced diet, increased physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. Moreover, adding functional foods like amaranth and canola oils, recognized for their health benefits, may further improve metabolic and inflammatory health. These products have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce the pro-inflammatory activity of adipose tissue, thereby improving systemic and oral health. The study aimed to assess the impact of a 3-week calorie-restricted diet, supplemented with canola or amaranth oil on salivary adipokines, i.e., serpin A12, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNF-R1), pH, and salivary flow in obese patients. Methods: A total of 115 adults with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) were enrolled and placed on a 3-week calorie-restricted diet. The study group (n = 44) received additional supplementation: 21 participants received 20 mL of canola oil daily, and 23 received 20 mL of amaranth oil. The control group (n = 71) followed the same calorie-restricted diet without oil supplementation. Non-stimulated saliva was collected twice, for 20 min each time, before and after the intervention, to evaluate flow rate, pH, and concentrations of serpin A12, PAI-1, and TNF-R1. Concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: An increase in saliva flow rate was observed in patients supplemented with amaranth oil (p = 0.0367). Both the amaranth oil and canola oil groups showed a significant rise in salivary pH (p = 0.0425). Across all participants, the 3-week calorie-restricted diet resulted in a reduction in salivary PAI-1 (p = 0.0339), serpin A12 (p = 0.0001), and TNF-R1 (p = 0.0058). Conclusions: The 3-week calorie-restricted diet contributed to a decrease in the concentration of adipokines in saliva. The low-calorie diet, combined with supplementation of amaranth and canola oils, increased salivary flow and resulted in higher pH values, indicating greater alkalinity.