Short-term effect of ligature-induced periodontitis on cardiovascular variability and inflammatory response in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Background We previously reported that periodontal disease (PD) induces high arterial pressure variability (APV) consistent with sympathetic overactivity and elicits myocardial inflammation in Balb/c mice. However, it is unknown whether PD can change APV and heart rate variability (HRV) in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic level, HRV, and APV associating with myocardial inflammation and plasma concentrations of oxide nitric (NO) in SHR and WKY rats with PD. Methods Three weeks after bilateral ligation of the first mandibular molar, or Sham operation, the rats received catheters into the femoral artery and had their arterial pressure (AP) recorded the following day. Subsequently, plasma, heart, and jaw were collected. The NO was quantified by the chemiluminescence method in plasma, and the myocardial IL-1β concentrations were evaluated by ELISA. In the jaw was evaluated linear alveolar bone loss induced by PD. Results The linear alveolar bone loss in jaws of SHR with PD was higher than in all other groups. AP and heart rate were higher in SHR than in their WKY counterparts. SHR with PD showed lower AP than control SHR. HRV and APV were different between SHR and WKY rats; however, no differences in these parameters were found between the animals with PD and their control counterparts. Plasma NO and myocardial IL-1β concentrations were higher in SHR with PD as compared to control WKY. A significant correlation was found between linear alveolar bone loss and plasma NO and myocardial IL-1β concentrations. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that short-term PD lowered the AP in SHR, which might be due to the higher levels of plasma NO. Even though PD did not affect either HRV or APV, it did induce myocardial inflammation, which can determine cardiovascular dysfunction in long-term PD.

Heart rate variability in male rats

“…Similar to investigations that analyzed changes in autonomic nervous system activity using frequency‐domain analysis, other studies have used time‐domain analysis of HRV. As in frequency‐domain studies, baseline values not only in sham groups were used (Abulaiti et al, 2011; De La Fuente et al, 2013; Houshmand et al, 2017; Krüger et al, 1997, 2000; Lima et al, 2018; Müller‐Ribeiro et al, 2017; Sallam et al, 2016, 2017; Silva, Geraldini, et al, 2017; Silva, Silva, et al, 2017; Soler et al, 2018; Wang et al, 2016; Xu et al, 2020), but also from groups in which the values were recorded only before the experimental intervention itself and the animals did not undergo surgical preparation (control) (Barbier et al, 2006; Beckers et al, 2006; Beltrán et al, 2020; Couderc et al, 2002; Farraj et al, 2009; Fazan Jr. et al, 2015; Hashimoto et al, 1999; Hazari et al, 2021; Koresh et al, 2016; Lamb et al, 2012; Lin et al, 2016; Maida et al, 2017; Mangin et al, 1998; Mostarda et al, 2009; Pereira‐Junior et al, 2010; Powell et al, 2021; Ramaekers et al, 2002; Ribeiro et al, 2021; Saalfield & Spear, 2014; Scridon et al, 2012; Shi et al, 2017; Simoes et al, 2016; Zajączkowski et al, 2018).…”

“…In in vivo experiments involving awake or freely moving animals, baseline values are used from sham groups, when the animals, in addition to the implantation of electrodes for continuous ECG recording, are also subjected to other surgical procedures as preparation for the further course of the experiment, but without subsequent targeted experimental intervention. For example, preparation for coronary or femoral artery occlusion (Aires et al, 2017; De La Fuente et al, 2013; Nobre et al, 2006), catheterization (Beckers et al, 2006; Blanco et al, 2015; Fiorino et al, 2012; Krüger et al, 1997, 2000; Mostarda et al, 2009; Müller‐Ribeiro et al, 2017; Quagliotto et al, 2015; Ramaekers et al, 2002; Ribeiro et al, 2021; Sallam et al, 2016, 2017; Shi et al, 2020; Simoes et al, 2016), ligation (Lima et al, 2018; Maida et al, 2017; Ruiz et al, 2014; Wang et al, 2016), bile duct ligation (Haddadian et al, 2013), cannulation (Beltrán et al, 2020; Da Silva et al, 2002; Neto et al, 2017; Sant'Ana et al, 2011), implantation of stimulators (Dai et al, 2020; Domingos‐Souza et al, 2021), or if they have already been administered substances beforehand (Lo Giudice et al, 2002).…”

Autonomic Regulation of Inflammation in Conscious Animals

“…In Balb/c mice our group demonstrated that the experimental model of periodontitis impacts the overall arterial pressure variability and cardiac performance, increasing sympathetic modulation of cardiac function and myocardial inflammation [71]. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we observed that short-term periodontitis lowered the arterial pressure, probably due to the higher levels of plasma nitric oxide levels [72]. Even though periodontitis did not affect either heart rate variability or arterial pressure variability, but induced myocardial inflammation, it could determine long-term cardiovascular dysfunction [72].…”

“…In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we observed that short-term periodontitis lowered the arterial pressure, probably due to the higher levels of plasma nitric oxide levels [72]. Even though periodontitis did not affect either heart rate variability or arterial pressure variability, but induced myocardial inflammation, it could determine long-term cardiovascular dysfunction [72]. Thus, we investigated whether the baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes would control the inflammatory process associated with periodontitis [73].…”