Repeated Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 exposure leads to release pro-inflammatory cytokynes and angiotensin II in coronary artery endothelial cells.

The role of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) or its virulence factors, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) not only has been related with periodontitis but also with endothelial dysfunction, a key mechanism involved in the genesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension that involving systemic inflammatory markers as angiotensin II (Ang II) and cytokines. This study compares the effect of repeated and unique exposures of P. gingivalis W83 LPS and live bacteria on the production and expression of inflammatory mediators and vasoconstrictor molecules with Ang II. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were stimulated with purified LPS of P. gingivalis (1.0, 3.5 or 7.0 µg/mL) or serial dilutions of live bacteria (MOI 1: 100 - 1:0,1) at a single or repeated exposure for a time of 24 h. mRNA expression levels of AGTR1, AGTR2, IL-8, IL-1ß and MCP-1 were determined by RT-qPCR, and IL-6, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-1ß and GM-CSF levels were measured by flow cytometry, ELISA determined Ang II levels. Live bacteria in a single dose increased mRNA levels of AGTR1, and repeated doses increased mRNA levels of IL-8 and IL-1ß (p < 0.05). Repeated exposure of live-P. gingivalis induced significant production IL-6, MCP-1 and GM-CSF (p < 0.05). Moreover, these MCP-1, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels were greater than in cells treated with single exposure (p < 0.05), The expression of AGTR1 and production of Ang II induced by live-P. gingivalis W83 showed a vasomotor effect of whole bacteria in HCAEC more than LPS. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that repeated exposure of P. gingivalis in HCAEC induces the activation of proinflammatory and vasoconstrictor molecules that lead to endothelial dysfunction being a key mechanism of the onset and progression of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis.

The probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum 296 attenuates cardiometabolic disorders in high fat diet-treated rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: High-fat (HF) diet consumption has been associated with gut dysbiosis and increased risk of dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Probiotic administration has been suggested as a safe therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders. This study was designed to assess the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus (L.) fermentum 296, a fruit-derived bacteria strain, against cardiometabolic disorders induced by HF diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Wistar rats were divided into control diet (CTL); HF diet; and HF diet treated with Lactobacillus fermentum 296 (HF + Lf 296). The L. fermentum 296 strain at 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFU)/ml were daily administered by oral gavage for 4 weeks. The results showed that rats fed with HF diet displayed insulin resistance, reduced Lactobacillus spp. counts in feces, serum lipids, and oxidative profile. Rats fed on HF diet also demonstrated augmented blood pressure associated with sympathetic hyperactivity and impaired baroreflex control. The administration of L. fermentum 296 for 4 weeks recovered fecal Lactobacillus sp. counts and alleviated hyperlipidemia, sympathetic hyperactivity, and reduced systolic blood pressure in HF rats without affecting baroreflex sensibility. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the ability of L. fermentum 296 improve biochemical and cardiovascular parameters altered in cardiometabolic disorders.

Characterization of Oral Microbiota in Removable Dental Prosthesis Users: Influence of Arterial Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have described the possible relation between oral infections and atherosclerotic events. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the oral microbiota of normotensive and hypertensive users of dental prostheses. METHODS: The sample consisted of 41 complete dental prosthesis users, divided into groups: 21 participants with systemic arterial hypertension and 20 normotensive participants. The data collection included the characteristics of the sociodemographic variables and the determination of the microbial load in the saliva. For the descriptive analyses, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used. The description of the proportional differences between the groups was based on the application of Mann-Whitney's statistical test. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The analysis of the oral microbiota showed the vast growth of aerobic microorganisms in all samples from both groups. The microbial load of streptococci and staphylococci was significantly higher among hypertensive participants. Candida yeasts were detected in the saliva culture of most samples. The hypertensive participants rank in the category of very high colonization index/high risk of infection related to this microorganism. CONCLUSIONS: The mouth of dental prosthesis users, especially when hypertensive, can constitute an important reservoir of pathogens, indicating an established inflammatory or infectious condition or risk for developing this condition.

In vivo assessment of the effect of an adhesive for complete dentures on colonisation of Candida species.

OBJECTIVE: Denture adhesives have long been recognised by denture wearers as a useful adjunct to denture retention and stability. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of a denture adhesive on oral quantities of Candida species by determination of absolute counts of colony-forming units (CFU) per ml of saliva of individuals who use this denture adhesive for a period of 14 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four individuals were randomised in two equal groups of 12 (test and control), with the individuals of the test group using the adhesive for 14 days. Samples of saliva were collected from all individuals on days 0 (initial), 7 and 14. Aliquots of saliva were diluted and plated in duplicate on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and incubated for 37 °C for 48 h, the CFU/ml were counted in the individuals of each group and the data of each group were compared at the different time periods and analysed statistically by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test (α ≤ 5%). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the test and control groups during the test periods. CONCLUSION: Within of the limitations of this study, the data suggested that the denture adhesive tested did not significantly alter the oral microbiota during the 14-day trial period.