Role of PCSK9 in the Development of Mouse Periodontitis Before and After Treatment: A Double-Edged Sword.

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent infectious disease associated genetically with coronary heart disease (CHD). The effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a critical regulator of CHD, on periodontitis have not been studied to date. Here, we found that PCSK9 expression was increased in periodontitis patients and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)-infected mice. Loss of PCSK9 attenuated Pg-induced periodontal bone loss in mice. First, PCSK9 deficiency reduced the release of inflammation-associated cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1ß, in vitro and in vivo. Second, its deficiency enhanced Pg and endotoxin clearance during Pg invasion in part by upregulating CD36 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), respectively. However, after berberine treatment, periodontal bone regeneration in the PCSK9 knockout group was significantly lower than that in wild-type. This was because PCSK9 overexpression promoted osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLCs) prechallenged by TNF-α. Furthermore, PCSK9 could rescue PDLC osteogenesis by repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway by interacting with TRAF2. These results suggest that PCSK9 may be a potent drug target for treating periodontitis.

A pilot study on the correlation of tongue manifestation with the site of cerebral infarction in patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the correlation of tongue manifestation with the site of cerebral infarction in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2009, 200 cases of hospitalized patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were chosen in the Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital. The correlation of different tongue color, fur texture, fur color with the site of cerebral infarction was analyzed. RESULTS: The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between different tongue color by Chisquare test (P=0.314), and further correspondence analysis demonstrated that there was correlation between red tongue and cortical-subcortical infarction group. The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between thick fur group and thin fur group, cortical-subcortical infarction occurred more frequently in the former (P=0.0008). The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between dry fur group, moist fur group and smooth fur group, correspondence analysis demonstrated there was correlation between dry fur and cortical-subcortical group. The site of cerebral infarction in the patients were compared between white fur group, white-yellow fur group and yellow fur group (P=0.010), and correspondence analysis demonstrated there was correlation between white fur and brainstem infarction; white-yellow fur has relationship with cortical infarction; subcortical infarction was weakly related with white-yellow fur; there was closer relationship between yellow fur and cortical-subcortical infarction. CONCLUSION: The change of tongue manifestation was associated with the site of cerebral infarction in patients, providing a new combining site for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases by integrative medicine.

A pilot study on the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: Two hundred patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were recruited. The relationship between different tongue manifestation and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were analyzed. RESULTS: NIHSS scores in the patients from different tongue color groups were analyzed and further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with red or bluish-purple tongue than that of those with the pink (P <0.01). On tongue fur, the NIHSS score in the patients with thick fur was higher than that of those with the thin (P=0.003). NIHSS score in patients with slippery, moist or dry fur was significant different (P=0.003), Further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with dry fur than that of those with moist fur, and had statistical significance (P=0.01). The NIHSS score was higher in patients from greasy fur group than that of the non-greasy (P=0.002). There was significant difference of NHISS score in the patients with different fur color (P=0.000), and further analysis demonstrated that the NHISS score in white-yellow, yellow fur group were higher than that of the white (P=0.06 or 0.000). CONCLUSION: The changes of tongue manifestation might be associated with the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Study on the correlation of tongue manifestation with fibrinogen and neutrophil in acute cerebral infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of tongue manifestation with the fibrinogen level and the neutrophil count in blood of acute cerebral infarction patients. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction in Neurology Department of Xuanwu Hospital from March, 2008 to February, 2009 were recruited in this study. The correlation of the tongue fur color and texture with the blood fibrinogen level and the neutrophil count was analyzed in these patients. RESULTS: The level of fibrinogen and neutrophil count in thick fur group were significantly higher than that in thin fur group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the level of fibrinogen and neutrophil count found between moist fur and dry fur. Statistical significance existed in the level of fibrinogen between the greasy tongue fur group and non-greasy tongue fur group (P<0.05). The level of fibrinogen and the neutrophil count were compared among different fur color groups, revealing that the level of fibrinogen in yellowish fur group was higher than that of white fur group and normal value with statistical significance (P<0.05) with neutrophil count in yellowish fur group being significantly higher than that in white fur group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the change of tongue manifestation was associated with the level of fibrinogen and the neutrophil count in the blood of cerebral infarction patients.