Periodontal Disease is Associated to the Lipid Metabolism Disorder that is Related to Atherosclerosis
August 26, 2014
The research group at the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences has found that high levels of plasma IgG antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with periodontal disease is associated with increased LDL cholesterol.
The findings were published on August 14, 2014 in the journal Odontology.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10266-014-0172-3#page-1
It has been shown that periodontal disease is associated with atherosclerosis. In addition, some reports have indicated that periodontal infection affects lipid metabolism which then worsens atherosclerosis in mouse models.
C. Kudo, H. Maeda and S. Takashiba and their group has conducted a clinical observational study over 3 years in collaboration with a consortium of physicians and dentist. 90 patients (mean age 60 years old) were evaluated on periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. The periodontal disease state of the patients was determined by clinical observation and by measuring the level of plasma antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The atherosclerosis state of the patients was determined by an ultrasound exam and by the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It is known that an increased LDL-C level is associated with the development of atherosclerosis. The study has shown that the antibody level was significantly correlated with the level of LDL-C.
The findings suggest that the level of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis could be used to evaluate the state of atherosclerosis in patients with periodontal disease. The findings could also lead to a better understanding of the relationship between atherosclerosis and periodontal disease.
Contact Information:
Mototaka Senda, Ph.D.
US Representative
Intellectual Property Office, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
Fremont, California USA
TEL: 1-510-797-0907
Email: takasenda@okayama-u.ac.jp