See also

http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20040329_Inflam.html

Repeated Treatment of Gum Disease Reduces Levels of Inflammatory Factors
Known to Increase Heart Disease Risk

Study shows those with most systemic inflammation derive greatest benefit

Release date: Monday, March 29, 2004
Contact: Lois Baker, ljbaker@buffalo.edu
Phone: 716-645-5000 ext 1417
Fax: 716-645-3765

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Reinforcing the relationship between periodontal
disease and heart disease, oral biologists from the University at
Buffalo have shown that levels of two inflammatory proteins known to
raise the risk of heart disease can be reduced substantially by
regularly treating existing gum infections.

"You can have significant effects in other parts of the body by treating
local problems," said Sara Grossi, D.D.S., senior research scientist in
the Department of Oral Biology, UB School of Dental Medicine and senior
author on the study. "That's why treating these infections is so
important."

Results of the study were presented at the International Association for
Dental Research meeting held March 10-13 in Hawaii by Owais A. Farooqi,
a doctoral student working with Grossi in UB's Periodontal Disease
Research Center.

The current study reports findings from 102 patients with periodontal
disease who were randomized to two study groups and followed for one
year. One group received standard "mechanical" treatment for periodontal
disease, called scaling and root planning. The other group had the
antibiotic gel Atridox applied to their gums before mechanical treatment.

Blood drawn at the start of the study showed that all patients had high
levels of an inflammatory marker called C-reactive protein, which is
known to put individuals at high risk for heart disease, and of
fibrinogen, a protein involved in promoting blood clots. All patients
were free of other conditions that could cause inflammatory proteins to
show up in their blood stream

Both groups received their designated treatment at baseline, 3, 6 and 9
months. Blood samples were taken at baseline, and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9
and 12 months. At the end of 12 months, results showed that systemic
levels of markers of inflammation decreased with repeated treatment.

"People who have high levels of CRP in their blood are at high risk of
heart disease," Grossi said. "Our results showed that in people who had
elevated levels of CRP at baseline, removal of dental plaque bacteria by
scaling or scaling combined with topical antibiotics produced a
statistically significant

reduction, bringing CRP levels close to the low-risk level. Both
treatments also significantly reduced levels of fibrinogen in patients
with elevated fibrinogen levels.

Grossi's lab next will assess levels of cytokines -- additional markers
of inflammation -- and how periodontal therapy affects them. "This work
will provide additional information on the systemic effect or benefit of
treating gum infection and provide valuable information on the
relationship between gum disease and heart disease and diabetes.

Additional researchers on the study were Alex Ho, statistician, and
Robert J. Genco, D.D.S., Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished professor, from the
UB Department of Oral Biology, and J. Steven Garrett from Atrix
Laboratories Inc.

The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health
Service, National Institutes of Health and Atrix.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public
university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State
University of New York.

Original URL:
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-page.html?article=66
400009

Press Releases

[Programs of study] [School info] [Patient info] [Continuing Education]
[Alumni]
[Events] [Research] [Faculty] [Students] [Links] [UB Info] [SDM Home
Page]

School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of
New York