Abstract | BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontal infection is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Although the mechanism responsible for the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular events is not fully understood, it is hypothesized that the chronic inflammatory burden of periodontal disease may lead to impaired functioning of the vascular endothelium. METHODS: RESULTS: There were no significant changes in clinical periodontal measures, flow-mediated dilation, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, CRP, IL-6, total cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the repeated baseline measurements. Periodontal treatment, however, resulted in significant improvements in periodontal pocketing, flow-mediated dilation, and serum IL-6, as well as a trend toward reduction in serum CRP; there were no significant changes in nitroglycerin-mediated dilation or in cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results represent proof of concept that improvement in endothelial function, as measured by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, may be possible through near-elimination of chronic oral infection and suggest that the conduct of a larger controlled trial is justified.
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Authors | John R Elter, Alan L Hinderliter, Steven Offenbacher, James D Beck, Melissa Caughey, Nadine Brodala, Phoebus N Madianos |
Journal | American heart journal
(Am Heart J)
Vol. 151
Issue 1
Pg. 47
(Jan 2006)
ISSN: 1097-6744 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 16368290
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
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Chemical References |
- Interleukin-6
- C-Reactive Protein
- Cholesterol
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Topics |
- Adult
- C-Reactive Protein
(analysis)
- Cholesterol
(blood)
- Endothelium, Vascular
(physiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Interleukin-6
(blood)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Periodontitis
(drug therapy)
- Pilot Projects
- Vasodilation
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