Alexandru Mester1, Lidia Ciobanu2, Marian Taulescu3, Dragos Apostu4, Ondine Lucaciu1, Gabriela Adriana Filip5, Vasile Feldrihan6, Emilia Licarete7, Aranka Ilea1, Andra Piciu8, Daniel Oltean-Dan4, Iuliu Scurtu9, Cristian Berce10, Radu Septimiu Campian1. 1. Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Oral Health and Dental Office Management, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 2. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 3. Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 4. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 5. Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 6. Department of Allergology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 7. Molecular Biology Centre, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 8. Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 9. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 10. Animal Facility, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the effects of periodontal disease in promoting liver fibrosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (CTRL), experimental periodontitis group at day 7 (PER7), at day 14 (PER14), at day 21 (PER21). Experimental periodontitis was induced by the placement of a silk ligature around mandibular incisors. The following parameters were assessed: gingival index, tooth mobility; liver status, and portal vein caliber by ultrasound examination; bone retraction, bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) by micro-CT analysis; aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT); oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione/oxidative glutathione ratio [GSH/GSSG]), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels; and histopathological evaluation of periodontal and liver tissues. RESULTS: Periodontal parameters showed the development of periodontitis in experimental groups. Micro-CT results indicates an increase of bone retraction and BMD values and a decrease of BV/TV value in PER groups. Liver fibrosis could not be diagnosed with ultrasound examination in any of the groups. Elevated levels of ASAT and ALAT in PER groups compared with CTRL group were found. MDA have indicated elevated levels and a decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio in PER group compared with the CTRL group. Levels of MMP-8 have indicated high values in PER21 compared with the other groups. Histological analysis of the periodontal and liver tissues sustains the link between periodontal and hepatic injury. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a positive correlation between periodontal lesions and liver disease. Periodontitis may be an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis.
BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the effects of periodontal disease in promoting liver fibrosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (CTRL), experimental periodontitis group at day 7 (PER7), at day 14 (PER14), at day 21 (PER21). Experimental periodontitis was induced by the placement of a silk ligature around mandibular incisors. The following parameters were assessed: gingival index, tooth mobility; liver status, and portal vein caliber by ultrasound examination; bone retraction, bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) by micro-CT analysis; aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT); oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione/oxidative glutathione ratio [GSH/GSSG]), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels; and histopathological evaluation of periodontal and liver tissues. RESULTS: Periodontal parameters showed the development of periodontitis in experimental groups. Micro-CT results indicates an increase of bone retraction and BMD values and a decrease of BV/TV value in PER groups. Liver fibrosis could not be diagnosed with ultrasound examination in any of the groups. Elevated levels of ASAT and ALAT in PER groups compared with CTRL group were found. MDA have indicated elevated levels and a decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio in PER group compared with the CTRL group. Levels of MMP-8 have indicated high values in PER21 compared with the other groups. Histological analysis of the periodontal and liver tissues sustains the link between periodontal and hepatic injury. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a positive correlation between periodontal lesions and liver disease. Periodontitis may be an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis.