Effects of a Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on inflammatory mediator response and pregnancy outcome in hamsters

Abstract

This study examines the effects of various localized, nondissemination challenges ofPorphyromonas gingivalis on inflammatory mediator production and pregnancy outcome in the golden hamster. Live or heat-killed (HK) organisms were inoculated into a previously implanted subcutaneous tissue chamber on the 8th day of gestation to determine the effects on fetal weight, viability, and resorption. In one group of animals, HK organisms were inoculated prior to mating to determine the effects of previous exposure on day-8 gestational challenges. Chamber contents were assayed at 1 and 5 days after challenge for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). All P. gingivalis challenges caused a significant increase in chamber PGE2 and TNF-a at P < 0.01 in the following order of potency: HK < Live < HK+Live. For example, following the HK+Live challenge, PGE2 levels increased from 4.7 pg/ml at baseline to 362 pg/ml at day 5 and TNF-a increased from 26.4 pg/ml to 724 pg/ml at day 5. The same order of potency of the various challenges was maintained with regard to the toxic effects of P. gingivalis on pregnancy outcome. For the HK+Live challenge, fetal weight was decreased 24%; embryolethality increased to 26.5% and the percent fetal resorption increased to 10.6% compared with control animal levels. There was a statistically significant association between increasing levels of both PGE2 and TNF-ot and fetal growth retardation and embryolethality at P < 0.001. These data suggest that infections with gram-negative periodontal pathogens can elicit adverse pregnancy outcomes and that the levels of PGE2 and TNF-at produced as a result of challenge are associated with the severity of fetal effect.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and periodontal disease: pathogenic mechanisms

“…Hence, in the chamber model, P. gingivalis has been shown to induce IUGR and elevated numbers of resorptions in Golden hamsters. Interestingly, the severity of these complications was dependent on the extent of the inflammatory response in the chamber as evaluated by the increased levels of TNF-a and PGE2 (Collins et al 1994b). IUGR and increased resorptions (analogous to miscarriages) have also been demonstrated after intra-chamber injection of P. gingivalis or C. rectus in mice (Lin et al 2003a, Yeo et al 2005.…”

Maternal Periodontal Disease in Rats Decreases Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Signaling in Adult Offspring

“…P eriodontal disease has been identified as one of the causes of preterm and low-birth-weight (PLBW) babies. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Periodontal disease is also considered a major perinatal problem in many countries, contributing significantly to childhood mortality and morbidity. 4 However, some studies have shown no correlation between PLBW and maternal periodontal disease.…”

Very low and low birth weight associated with maternal periodontitis

“…A possible explanation for this latter association could be that, as a chronic disease of infectious origin, periodontitis induces early delivery through raised systemic levels of pathogenic microorganisms or their endotoxins, or directly via inflammatory mediators, consequently triggering early parturition or decreasing the perfusion of nutrients to the foetus (Gibbs et al 1992, Collins et al 1994, Lin et al 2003and Offenbacher 2004.…”