Periostin in the relation between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease: A pilot randomized clinical study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of periodontal treatment on markers of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and circulating levels of periostin.

BACKGROUND

Periostin is necessary for periodontal stability, but it is highly present in atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment of periodontal disease, with low levels of local periostin, is thought to reduce systemic levels of periostin. Thus, this may contribute to cardiovascular health.

METHODS

A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to include patients with severe periodontal disease and history of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum were collected before and after periodontal treatment by periodontal surgery or non-surgical therapy. The levels of several markers of inflammation and cardiovascular damage were evaluated including CRP, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-10, MIP-1α, periostin, and TNF-α in GCF and CRP, Fibrinogen, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, L-Selectin, MIP-1α, Periostin, TNF-α, and vWF in serum.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients with an average of 56 years old were recruited for participating in this study. Twenty of them were male. Most of them (82%) had suffered an acute myocardial event and underwent surgery for placing 1, 2, or 3 stents in the coronary arteries more than 6 months ago but less than 1 year. The treatment of periodontal disease resulted in an overall improvement of all periodontal parameters. Regarding the evaluation of GCF and serum, a significant increase of periostin in the GCF was observed after periodontal surgery. In contrast, although other markers in GCF and serum improved, no significant correlations were found.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of periodontal disease through periodontal surgery induces a local and transient increase in the levels of periostin in the gingival crevicular fluid. The effects on systemic markers of inflammation and cardiovascular function have not been confirmed.

Inflammasomes NLRP3 and AIM2 in peri-implantitis: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Inflammasome components NLRP3 and AIM2 contribute to inflammation development by the activation of caspase-1 and IL-1β. They have not been yet evaluated in samples from patients with active peri-implantitis. Thus, the aim of the present study is to analyze the expression of inflammasomes NLRP3 and AIM2 and subsequent caspase 1 and IL-1β assessing the microenvironment of leukocyte subsets in samples from patients with active peri-implantitis.

METHODS

Biopsies were collected from 33 implants in 21 patients being treated for peri-implantitis. Biopsies from gingival tissues from 15 patients with healthy periodontium were also collected for control. These tissues were evaluated through conventional histological stainings. Then, immunohistochemical detection was performed to analyze NLRP3, AIM2, caspase-1, and IL-1β and markers of different leukocyte subsets. PCR for inflammasomes and related genes was also done.

RESULTS

This manuscript reveals a high immunohistochemical and mRNA expression of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, caspase-1, and IL-1β in biopsies collected from human peri-implantitis. The expression of the tested markers was significantly correlated with the increase in inflammatory infiltrate, probing depth, presence of biofilm, and bleeding on probing. In these peri-implantitis lesions, the area of biopsy tissue occupied by inflammatory infiltrate was intense while the area occupied by collagen was significantly lower. In comparison with periodontal healthy tissues, the inflammatory infiltrate was statistically significantly higher in the peri-implantitis biopsies and was mainly composed of plasma cells, followed by T and B lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

In human peri-implantitis, chronic inflammation can be explained in part by the action of IL-1β/caspase 1 induced through NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation.

Lizards and amphisbaenians (Reptilia, Squamata) from the middle Eocene of Mazaterón (Soria, Spain)

The assemblage of lizards and amphisbaenians (Reptilia, Squamata) from the middle Eocene locality of Mazaterón (Spain) is described. Considering the rather limited material available for the study, the assemblage shows a moderate diversity with eight taxa corresponding to five different families. In most cases the scarcity and fragmentary nature of squamate specimens precludes a precise identification, but provides insights on identity of the groups represented. Mazaterón fills the gap between early and late Eocene Iberian localities, showing the persistence of iguanids (possibly Geiseltaliellus), lacertids (possibly Dormaalisaurus), and glyptosaur (tribes glyptosaurini and "melanosaurini") and anguine anguids through most of the Iberian Eocene. It also records the return of amphisbaenians (Blanidae) after their temporary retrieval from Europe during most of the middle Eocene, and the presence of two scincids, one of them possibly corresponding to a new taxon. The information provided by squamates complements what is already known from mammals, crocodylians, and turtles in what is arguably one of the most important vertebrate Paleogene localities of the Iberian Peninsula.