Assessment of Biomarkers of Coronary Heart Disease in Patients with Periodontitis

• Published in: Journal of international oral health 2015-11, Vol.7 (11), p.37
• Main Authors: George, Anitha, George, Sanil P, John, Sajil, Mathew, Aby, Joe, Sheena, Mathew, Riju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial infections; Cardiovascular disease; Cholesterol; Low density lipoprotein; Rodents
• ISSN: 0976-7428; 0976-1799

Gingival inflammation is common in patients on anticonvulsant drugs and in bacterial and viral infections of the oral cavity. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is reported to be higher in patients with periodontitis. The elevation in inflammatory markers and oxidative stress are the major causes predisposing an individual to CHD. No attempts were made earlier to evaluate the role of dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in patients with periodontal inflammation. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) prevents the formation of lipid hydroperoxides and oxidized phospholipids by hydrolyzing them once they are formed, and its level is rarely studied in the disease of the oral cavity. Hence in the present study, an attempt is being made to evaluate the impact of drug-induced and bacterial gingivitis on lipid profile and oxidative stress which predisposes an individual to CHD. Lipid profile, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and PON1 were studied in serum of the 32 patients with drug-induced gingival enlargement, 12 patients with gingival inflammation due to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and seven with P. gingivalis infection and nifedipine-induced gingival inflammation. The results were compared with sixteen age and sex matched controls using the one-way ANOVA test, and Pearson correlation. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found to be elevated whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the PON1 was significantly decreased in the patients compared to controls. The gingival index was correlating well with all the parameters of lipid profile and PON1. The patients of periodontal disease are at a high risk of developing CHD compared to subjects with healthy periodontal tissues. Reducing the inflammation by replacing the drug, eliminating the bacterial infection, and by providing antioxidant-rich diet are suggested as methods for reducing the risk of CHD in patients with periodontitis.