Comparison of the Protective Effects of Individual Components of Particulated trans-Sialidase (PTCTS), PTC and TS, against High Cholesterol Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Rabbits.

Previous studies showed the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) and membrane-shed microparticles (MPs) in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. H&S Science and Biotechnology developed PTCTS, composed by natural particles from medicinal plants (PTC) combined with trans-Sialidase (TS), to combat MPs and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Our aim was to determine the effects of the different components of PTCTS in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis. Rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks and treated during the last 6 weeks with either vehicle, PTC, TS, or PTCTS. Lipid profile and quantification of MPs positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and oxidized LDL antigens were carried out. Aortas and organs were then histologically analyzed. PTCTS reduced circulating MPs positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and oxidized LDL antigens, reduced the plaque area in the abdominal aorta, and caused positive remodeling of the ascendant aorta. PTC caused positive remodeling and reduced plaque area in the abdominal aorta; however, TS had a lipid lowering effect. PTCTS components combined were more effective against atherosclerosis than individual components. Our data reinforce the infectious theory of atherosclerosis and underscore the potential role of circulating MPs. Therefore, the removal of Mycoplasma-derived MPs could be a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Microbial diversity similarities in periodontal pockets and atheromatous plaques of cardiovascular disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The immune and infectious alterations occurring in periodontitis have been shown to alter the development and severity of cardiovascular disease. One of these relationships is the translocation of oral bacteria to atheroma plaques, thereby promoting plaque development. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess, by 16s cloning and sequencing, the microbial diversity of the subgingival environment and atheroma plaques of patients concomitantly suffering from periodontitis and obstructive coronary artery atherosclerosis (OCAA). METHODS: Subgingival biofilm and coronary balloons used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were collected from 18 subjects presenting with generalized moderate to severe periodontitis and OCAA. DNA was extracted and the gene 16S was amplified, cloned and sequenced. RESULTS: Significant differences in microbial diversity were observed between both environments. While subgingival samples mostly contained the phylum Firmicutes, in coronary balloons, Proteobacteria (p<0.05) was predominant. In addition, the most commonly detected genera in coronary balloons were Acinetobacter, Alloprevotella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Sphingomonas and Moraxella, while in subgingival samples Porphyromonas, Filifactor, Veillonella, Aggregatibacter and Treponema (p<0.05) were found. Interestingly, 17 identical phylotypes were found in atheroma and subgingival samples, indicating possible bacterial translocation between periodontal pockets and coronary arteries. CONCLUSION: Periodontal pockets and atheromatous plaques of cardiovascular disease patients can present similarities in the microbial diversity.

Microbial composition of atherosclerotic plaques.

OBJECTIVE: The association of infections such as periodontitis with atherosclerotic diseases is well documented. In spite of the high diversity of the human oral microbiota, and its close contact with the circulatory system, few oral species were detected in atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, we attempted to evaluate the microbial diversity of atherosclerotic plaques from patients with different periodontal conditions, submitted to endarterectomy by a broad-range microbial method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients indicated for aorta endarterectomy due to myocardial infarction were recruited for periodontal clinical examination. The microbial diversity of atherosclerotic plaques (n = 35) was evaluated by sequence analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA libraries. RESULTS: Bacterial DNA was detected in 12 endarterectomy specimens (34.3%). Twenty-three bacterial species/phylotypes were identified. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes comprised 78.3% and 21.7% of the identified taxa, respectively. Fifteen (60.9%) phylotypes were reported as yet uncultivable or as yet uncharacterized species. Two uncultured phylotypes were previously detected in the human mouth. The periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was detected in seven samples (20%), followed by Pseudomonas species. There was no association between periodontal parameters and detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans or other phylotypes in atherosclerotic plaques. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a role of the oral microbiota in the development of inflammation in atherogenesis, particularly of A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Identificação de bactérias periodontopatogênicas em placas ateromatosas de carótidas humanas / Identification of periodontopathogens in human carotids atherosclerotic plaque

Estudos recentes sugeriram associação entre doença periodontal e doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de bactérias periodontopatogênicas em placas ateromatosas humanas. Foram incluídos no estudo 24 pacientes de ambos os sexos, 40-60 anos de idade, internados na UTI do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição em Tubarão-SC com indicação para endarterectomia. Após a coleta das placas ateromatosas, procedeu-se a identificação de sete diferentes espécies bacterianas periodontopatógenos por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR). Para realização da análise estatistica foi verificada a associação entre as duas variáveis qualitativas nominais (presença ou ausência de bácterias X tipo de bactérias) por meio do teste Qui-quadrado, com nível designificância de 5 %. Os resultados desse trabalho mostraram haver associação entre presença ou ausência de bactérias e dos diferentes tipos de bactérias nos ateromas analisados (p = 0001). Dos ateromas avaliados 75% apresentaram Porphyromonas gingivalis., 58,3% Treponema denticola., 37,5% apresentaram Fusobacteriumnucleatum., 33,3% Prevotella intermedia., 20,8% Agreggatibacter actinomycetencomitanse. 0,4% de Prevotella nigrescens. Esses achados permitem concluir que bactérias periodontopatogênicas apresentam a capacidade de invadir a parede das artérias, podendo ter papel significativo no desenvolvimento ou ruptura das placas ateroescleróticas.

Recent studies suggested an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of periodontopathogens in human atherosclerotic plaque. It were included in this study 24 non-smoking patients, both genders, 40-60 years, admitted at intensive unit care with indication of endarterectomy. After collection of carotid samples containing the lesions, the identification of seven different bacterial species was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For statistical analysis, the association between two nominal qualitative variables (presence or absence of bactérias vs. bacterial specieis) was verified by Chi-squared test, with a 5% significance level. The results obtained showed an association between the presence or absence and bacterial species found in atheroma (p= .0001). Among the atheroma examined, 75% showed the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, 58.3% showed Treponema denticola, 37.5% showed Fusobacteriumnucleatum, 33.3% showed Prevotella intermedia, 20.8% Agreggatibacter actinomycetencomitans and 0.4% Prevotella nigrescens. These findings suggest that periodontopatoghens are capable of invading artery wall and could play a significant role in the development or rupture of atherosclerotic lesions.

Identificação de bactérias periodontopatogênicas em placas ateromatosas de carótidas humanas / Identification of periodontopathogens in human carotids atherosclerotic plaque

Estudos recentes sugeriram associação entre doença periodontal e doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de bactérias periodontopatogênicas em placas ateromatosas humanas. Foram incluídos no estudo 24 pacientes de ambos os sexos, 40-60 anos de idade, internados na UTI do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição em Tubarão-SC com indicação para endarterectomia. Após a coleta das placas ateromatosas, procedeu-se a identificação de sete diferentes espécies bacterianas periodontopatógenos por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR). Para realização da análise estatistica foi verificada a associação entre as duas variáveis qualitativas nominais (presença ou ausência de bácterias X tipo de bactérias) por meio do teste Qui-quadrado, com nível designificância de 5 %. Os resultados desse trabalho mostraram haver associação entre presença ou ausência de bactérias e dos diferentes tipos de bactérias nos ateromas analisados (p = 0001). Dos ateromas avaliados 75% apresentaram Porphyromonas gingivalis., 58,3% Treponema denticola., 37,5% apresentaram Fusobacteriumnucleatum., 33,3% Prevotella intermedia., 20,8% Agreggatibacter actinomycetencomitanse. 0,4% de Prevotella nigrescens. Esses achados permitem concluir que bactérias periodontopatogênicas apresentam a capacidade de invadir a parede das artérias, podendo ter papel significativo no desenvolvimento ou ruptura das placas ateroescleróticas.

Recent studies suggested an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of periodontopathogens in human atherosclerotic plaque. It were included in this study 24 non-smoking patients, both genders, 40-60 years, admitted at intensive unit care with indication of endarterectomy. After collection of carotid samples containing the lesions, the identification of seven different bacterial species was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For statistical analysis, the association between two nominal qualitative variables (presence or absence of bactérias vs. bacterial specieis) was verified by Chi-squared test, with a 5% significance level. The results obtained showed an association between the presence or absence and bacterial species found in atheroma (p= .0001). Among the atheroma examined, 75% showed the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, 58.3% showed Treponema denticola, 37.5% showed Fusobacteriumnucleatum, 33.3% showed Prevotella intermedia, 20.8% Agreggatibacter actinomycetencomitans and 0.4% Prevotella nigrescens. These findings suggest that periodontopatoghens are capable of invading artery wall and could play a significant role in the development or rupture of atherosclerotic lesions.

Molecular survey of atheromatous plaques for the presence of DNA from periodontal bacterial pathogens, archaea and fungi.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic infections, such as periodontitis, have been associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The mechanisms through which this occurs have yet to be elucidated. This study was carried out to detect periodontopathic bacteria as well as archaea and fungi in atheromatous plaques and search for factors associated with their occurrence in atheromas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 30 patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis in the carotid, coronary or femoral arteries. Plaques were collected during surgery and analysed using PCR to detect Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and members of the Synergistetes group. Samples were also surveyed with universal primers for bacterial, archaeal and fungal DNA. Patients responded to a questionnaire to determine factors associated with PCR results. RESULTS: All dentate individuals (66.7%) had periodontal disease, 95% of which was severe and 65% extensive. None of the targeted periodontopathic bacteria was found in the atheromas. No sample yielded positive results for fungal and archaeal DNA. Four samples (13%) were positive for the presence of bacterial DNA. Of these, three participants were dentate (two with severely chronic generalized periodontitis and one with severely chronic localized periodontitis). CONCLUSION: This study did not confirm previous findings of periodontal pathogens in atheromas, making it impossible to establish factors associated with their presence in plaques. Presence of bacterial DNA in some samples indicates that periodontal or nonoral bacterial species other than the ones targeted in this study may be involved with some cases of atherosclerosis.

Presence of periodontopathic bacteria in coronary arteries from patients with chronic periodontitis.

In this study the presence of periodontopathic pathogens in atheromatous plaques removed from coronary arteries of patients with chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects by PCR was detected. Our results indicate a significant association between the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and atheromas, and the periodontal bacteria in oral biofilm may find a way to reach arteries.