[Effect of periodontal treatment on rheumatoid arthritis and vice versa]. / Effect van parodontale behandeling op reumatoïde artritis en vice versa.

The pathogenesis of periodontitis and of rheumatoid arthritis show remarkable similarities. There is a distinct degree of co-existence between the 2 diseases. The prevalence of periodontitis is more pronounced in rheumatoid arthritis patients and the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is more pronounced in periodontitis patients. At present, a positive influence of periodontal treatment on the rheumatoid arthritis disease activity or of rheumatoid arthritis drug treatment on periodontitis is not sufficiently supported by clinical research. Periodontitis may play a role in unsatisfactory therapy response in some rheumatoid arthritis patients.

[Links between periodontal disease and general health. 1. Pneumonia and cardiovascular disease]. / Relatie tussen parodontale gezondheid en algemene gezondheid. 1. Luchtweginfecties en hart- en vaatziekten.

The possible link between oral and general health is based on an old concept. This paper summarizes current ideas on the role of translocation of oral pathogens to other parts of the body in the development of systemic disease. It appears that colonisation of the oral cavity by respiratory pathogens is a risk factor in the development of pneumonia in institutionalised elderly and intensive care patients. Using a chloorhexidine oral rinse may reduce the risk of pneumonia. Furthermore, periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Translocation of oral microorganisms and an increase in serum concentrations of inflammatory mediators are considered to play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Potentially, preventive oral health care and periodontal intervention could play a part in preventing cardiovascular disease.

[Links between periodontal disease and general health. 2. Preterm birth, diabetes and autoimmune diseases]. / Relatie tussen parodontale gezondheid en algemene gezondheid. 2. Vroeggeboorte, diabetes en auto-immuunziekten.

The condition of the periodontium may effect people's general health. There is evidence of a correlation between periodontal disease and preterm birth or low birth weight. In pregnant women with periodontal disease, scaling and root planing seems to reduce the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. Furthermore, periodontal disease appears to have an adverse effect on glycemic control in diabetics. However, periodontal treatment as a means to glycemic control is restricted unless it includes the use of systemic antibiotics. Slowly, a possible correlation between periodontal disease and autoimmune diseases is emerging. Further research into the correlations between periodontal disease and systemic health is desirable and might well result in new therapeutic options.

Activation of caspase-8 in the Alzheimer's disease brain.

Recent studies support the activation of apoptotic pathways in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Neurons committed to apoptosis may do so by either activation of a receptor-mediated pathway employing caspase-8 or through an alternative mitochondrial pathway involving oxidative stress. In the present study, the role of caspase-8 in the AD brain was examined by designing a caspase-cleavage site-directed antibody to one of the active fragments of caspase-8. In vitro analysis with this antibody, termed CASP-8p18, demonstrated that it recognized the active 18-kDa fragment of caspase-8 but not the precursor protein. In vivo immunohistochemical analysis using hippocampal tissue sections from AD or aged-matched control brains demonstrated CASP-8p18 immunolabeling of neurons in all AD cases, whereas little staining was observed in controls. These results were confirmed using a commercially available antibody that, like the CASP-8p18 antibody reacts only with the 18-kDa fragment of caspase-8 and not full-length caspase-8. As with CASP-8p18 antibody, the commercial antibody-labeled neurons in all AD cases, while showing a relative paucity of staining in representative control cases. Labeling of CASP-8p18 within tangle-bearing neurons was observed in double-labeling studies with AT8 or PHF-1, both markers for neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). In addition, using a caspase-cleavage site-directed antibody that recognizes cleavage products of caspase-3 showed colocalization of this antibody with the CASP-8p18 antibody within NFTs. These results suggest a role for caspase-8 and the receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway as a mechanism leading to the activation of caspase-3 within neurons of the AD brain.