ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been demonstrated that periodontitis induces systemic inflammation, which may impair endothelial function leading to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on systemic inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to ligature-induced experimental periodontitis. Eight days after the procedure, the ligature and sham groups were randomly assigned to receive simvastatin or vehicle once a day until the 14th day, when the effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside on blood pressure were evaluated. Blood samples were collected and evaluated for plasma interleukin-6C, -reactive protein and lipids. The maxilla and mandible were removed for bone loss analysis. RESULTS: Simvastatin treatment reduced systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis. Furthermore, simvastatin improved the blood lipid profile and reduced alveolar bone loss. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin treatment, in addition to the improvement on serum lipid profile, may reduce other predictors of cardiovascular events associated with periodontitis.
Subject(s)
Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Inflammation Mediators/immunology , Periodontitis/immunology , Simvastatin/therapeutic use , Acetylcholine/therapeutic use , Alveolar Bone Loss/immunology , Alveolar Bone Loss/prevention & control , Animals , Arterial Pressure/drug effects , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , C-Reactive Protein/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Endothelium, Vascular/immunology , Inflammation , Interleukin-6/blood , Leukocyte Count , Lipids/blood , Male , Nitroprusside/therapeutic use , Periodontitis/prevention & control , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The aim of the present study is to test for possible associations between the C-1291G polymorphism in the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) with tobacco smoking and alcohol dependence. The genotype and allele frequencies were compared in three groups of European-derived Brazilian males: individuals with co-occurrence of tobacco smoking and alcohol dependence (N = 110), with tobacco smoking (N = 121) and controls (N = 114). The frequency of the G allele was higher in the group with both conditions, intermediate among subjects with smoking, and lower among controls (chi(2) = 8.00; p = 0.02). The chi(2) partitioning did not reveal significant differences between the sample with the two conditions and the sample of smokers (chi(2) = 0.82; p = 0.36). Combining both groups, the difference to the non-smoking controls is higher than the one observed in the three-groups analysis (chi(2) = 7.18; p = 0.007). The results suggest a role for the ADRA2A C-1291G polymorphism, notably the G allele, in the predisposition to tobacco smoking. The influence of the ADRA2A gene in nicotine and other substance dependencies should be more extensively assessed in future studies.
Subject(s)
Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics , Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/genetics , Smoking/genetics , Adult , Alcoholism/complications , Alcoholism/genetics , Alleles , DNA/genetics , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Testing , Genotype , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating ScalesABSTRACT
The T allele of the C825T polymorphism in the G-protein beta(3) subunit gene (GNB3) is related to the increase of signal transduction by the G-protein. G-proteins are intermediary paths in signal transduction from receptors involved in mood regulation and substance dependence. We studied the C825T polymorphism in individuals with (i) alcohol and nicotine dependence (n = 109), (ii) nicotine dependence only (n = 117) and (iii) non-dependent controls (n = 108). We also tested for possible associations with psychiatric comorbidities among alcohol-dependent individuals. No differences were detected for allele and genotype frequencies in individuals with or without dependencies. Alcohol-dependent individuals with the heterozygous genotype presented more frequently major depressive disorder (chi(2) = 12.34; p = 0.002). These findings, taken together with other studies suggesting an influence of the C825T polymorphism in major depressive disorder, support the hypothesis of the involvement of G-proteins in mood regulation.