Anti-inflammatory effect of rosuvastatin decreases alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

The effects of systemically administered rosuvastatin on alveolar bone loss (ABL), cytokine levels and oxidative status were investigated in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. Rats were divided randomly into four groups: a non-ligated group (C); a non-ligated+rosuvastatin group (R); a ligated group (P); and a ligated+rosuvastatin group (PR). Ligatures were placed at the maxillary second molars, and rosuvastatin was administered for 14 days. After the rats had been euthanatized, histomorphometric and histological analyses were performed, and the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10 and oxidant and antioxidant parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase) were evaluted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rosuvastatin significantly decreased the extent of ABL, inflammatory infiltration and osteoclasts in periodontitis, but increased the numbers of osteoblasts. Although rosuvastatin reduced the levels of IL-1ß, they did not differ significantly between the PR and P groups. In the PR group, not only were IL-10 levels significantly higher but also the ratio of IL-1ß to IL-10 was lower than in the P group. Although MDA levels were significantly increased in the P group relative to the C group, they did not differ significantly between the PR and C groups. The present data suggest that rosuvastatin decreases ABL in ligature-induced periodontitis, and that its anti-inflammatory effect is more remarkable than its antioxidant effect.

Antioxidant effects of melatonin in heart tissue after induction of experimental periodontitis in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the oxidative stress in heart tissues after induction of experimental periodontitis in rats. Thirty Wistar Albino male rats were divided into four groups as follows: healthy + saline solution (Hs, n = 7), healthy + melatonin (Hm, n = 7), periodontitis + saline solution (Ps, n = 8), and periodontitis + melatonin (Pm, n = 8). Experimental periodontitis was induced using a ligature placed at the gingival margin of the maxillary second molars. Melatonin was applied intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) every day for 2 weeks. After sacrificing the rats, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels, and melatonin levels were evaluated. The Pm group exhibited lower alveolar bone loss than the Ps group. Melatonin levels increased in the periodontitis groups, and the Pm group had lower MDA levels and higher GSH-Px levels than the Ps group. These findings suggest that melatonin administration reduces MDA and increases GSH-Px levels in heart tissue, and these effects may be due to its antioxidant properties. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of melatonin on the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.

Is a Cholestrol-Enriched Diet a Risk Factor for Alveolar Bone Loss?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effects of a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet on alveolar bone loss (ABL) and serum levels of pro-oxidants and antioxidant enzymes in rats with experimental periodontitis. METHODS: Rats were randomized into the four groups: 1) group C (standard diet/periodontally healthy); 2) group Hc (high-cholesterol diet); 3) group HcP (high-cholesterol diet/periodontitis); and 4) group P (standard diet/periodontitis). All rats were fed for 8 weeks. At 6 weeks, experimental periodontitis was induced. At the end of week 8, the rats were sacrificed. Histomorphometric and histopathologic analyses were performed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels in serum were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Experimental groups exhibited increases in: 1) total cholesterol, 2) low-density lipoprotein, and 3) high-density lipoprotein compared to group C. The cholesterol-enriched diet induced ABL in group Hc; groups HcP and P had more extensive ABL. The most polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in periodontal tissues was found in group HcP. MDA levels were higher in all experimental groups than in group C, but significant in the HcP group. A high-cholesterol diet, with or without periodontitis, resulted in more decreases in GPX and more increases in NO compared to group P. CONCLUSION: Although any additive effect of cholesterol-enriched diet to ABL was not found in rats with ligature-induced experimental periodontitis, these findings revealed that a cholesterol-enriched diet could lead to ABL and an increase in periodontal inflammation and serum pro-oxidants.

The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-11 and interleukin-17 in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The balance (ratio) of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. Moreover, the imbalance of anti-inflammatory/proinflammatory cytokines may modulate disease progression in aggressive periodontitis (AgP). This study aims to investigate the levels of interleukin (IL)-11 and IL-17 and their ratio in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with AgP. METHODS: This study included 20 patients with generalized AgP (GAgP) and 18 healthy controls (HC). For each patient, the values of clinical parameters, such as gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level, were recorded. Levels of IL-11 and IL-17 in GCF samples were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The values of clinical parameters, cytokine levels, and the ratios of cytokines were evaluated. RESULTS: The values of all the clinical parameters were significantly higher in the GAgP group than in the HC group (P < 0.001). The total amount and concentration of IL-11 and the concentration of the IL-17 and IL-11/IL-17 ratio were significantly lower in the GAgP group than in the HC group (P < 0.001). The total amount of IL-17 was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.317). CONCLUSIONS: The IL-11/IL-17 ratio was decreased in the GAgP group because of the decreased IL-11 levels. The IL-11/IL-17 axis and the link between IL-17 and neutrophil function disorders in AgP should be investigated to clarify the role of the IL-11/IL-17 axis and its balance and imbalance in the pathogenesis of AgP.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in association between periodontal disease and hyperlipidaemia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in association between periodontal disease and hyperlipidaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three subjects with hyperlipidaemia and 68 systemically healthy controls (C) were included in the study. Hyperlipidaemic groups were divided into two groups as suggested diet (HD) and prescribed statin (HS). Both groups were divided into three subgroups as healthy (h), gingivitis (g) and periodontitis (p). The clinical periodontal parameters, fasting venous blood and GCF samples were obtained, and serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (TC/HDL) was associated with gingival index and percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP%) in both hyperlipidaemic groups. In HS group, GCF and serum IL-6 were positively correlated with BOP% and TC/HDL. GCF TNF-α was positively associated with probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level, whereas serum TNF-α was associated with BOP% in the HD group. Serum and GCF TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly associated with TC/HDL in the HD group. CONCLUSIONS: Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the association between periodontal disease and hyperlipidaemia.