Researchers Take Another Look at Heart Disease and Periodontitis

Researchers Take Another Look at Heart Disease and Periodontitis

High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy diet are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. And now researchers say that periodontitis should be added to this list. According to investigators from the School of Health Sciences at the Örebro University in Örebro, Sweden, a periodontal pathogen causes changes in gene expression that boost inflammation and plaque buildup within the arteries. This research aligned with previous studies that found Porphyromonas gingivalis present in coronary artery plaques of patients who experienced myocardial infarction. Infection and Immunity published a full analysis of the research “Gingipains from the Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis Play a Significant Role in Regulation of Angiopoietin 1 and Angiopoietin 2 in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells” online.

Concluding that periodontitis increases the risk for heart disease began with the researchers culturing human aortic smooth muscle cells and then infecting them with P. gingivalis. It was observed that virulence factors produced by this bacteria boosted expression of inflammatory markers (angiopoietin 1) while weakening anti-inflammatory markers (angiopoietin 2), thereby increasing overall smooth muscle cell inflammation. Such inflammation is closely linked to atherosclerosis. 

“Our research clarifies the mechanism behind the association of periodontitis and cardiovascular disease,” said investigator Boxi Zhang, PhD. “Our aim is to find biomarkers that can help us diagnose and treat both diseases.” Further examination of this link is crucial to improving health outcomes across the world.

Hygiene Connection E-Newsletter

October 2015