Evaluation of Serum Anti‐Cardiolipin and Oxidized Low‐Density Lipoprotein Levels in Chronic Periodontitis Patients With Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether chronic periodontitis caused the elevated levels of anti‐cardiolipin antibodies (anti‐CL) and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in subjects with essential hypertension. Methods: Seventy‐two subjects were categorized as healthy controls, subjects with essential hypertension and periodontal health (healthy‐hypertension group), subjects with essential hypertension and gingivitis (gingivitis‐hypertension group), or subjects with essential hypertension and chronic periodontitis (periodontitis‐hypertension group). Individuals with essential hypertension who had been taking antihypertensive medication ≥2 years were included in the present study. The presence of supragingival plaque, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level were recorded, and blood samples were collected. Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐CL and oxLDL levels were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. For IgM and IgG anti‐CL assays, positive tests were defined as ≥15 IgM phospholipid units and ≥10 IgG phospholipid units, respectively. Results: The mean IgM anti‐CL level and the prevalence of subjects positive for IgM anti‐CL were significantly higher in the periodontitis‐hypertension group compared to the other groups (P = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the mean IgG anti‐CL and oxLDL levels or in the number of subjects positive for IgG anti‐CL and positive for IgM or IgG anti‐CL among the study groups. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between IgM anti‐CL levels and supragingival plaque, BOP, and PD scores. Conclusions: Chronic periodontitis might play a causal role in the elevated serum levels of anti‐CL antibodies in individuals with essential hypertension. These elevated anti‐CL levels that are due to chronic periodontitis might contribute to an increased risk for atherosclerosis in individuals with essential hypertension.

Anti-phospholipid Antibodies and Smoking: An Overview

“…Following a report in 2003 by Sheinkin et al [90] that aCL were found in up to 20 % of patients with chronic periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis, Türkoğlu et al [91] confirmed that mean IgM aCL levels and the prevalence of subjects positive for IgM anti-CL were significantly higher in their periodontitis-hypertension group compared to the other groups with hypertension. In a 2007 study, Sheinkin et al…”

Inflammatory mechanisms linking periodontal diseases to cardiovascular diseases

“…Furthermore, Turkoglu (Turkoglu et al 2008) demonstrated that periodontitis patients with hypertension have elevated IgM anti-CL serum antibodies and speculated that these antibodies may impart increased risk for atherosclerosis in these patients. Finally, Pussinen (Pussinen et al 2004b) noted that in patients with severe periodontitis and high serum LPS concentrations, periodontal therapy resulted in a decrease in serum anti-b2GP1 concentration, implicating gram negative bacterial infection in the production of antib2GP1 in periodontitis.…”

Lipoproteins and lipoprotein metabolism in periodontal disease

“…Periodontitis subjects also have antibodies against lipids and lipoproteins. For example, the prevalence of β2-glycoprotein-dependent anticardiolipin is elevated in both chronic and aggressive periodontitis [155,167,168]. Other studies indicate that anti-oxLDL antibodies are elevated in subjects with periodontitis [111,169].…”