Severe periodontitis enhances macrophage activation via increased serum lipopolysaccharide

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Nov;24(11):2174-80. doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000145979.82184.9f. Epub 2004 Sep 23.

Abstract

Objective: In periodontitis, overgrowth of Gram-negative bacteria and access of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to circulation may activate macrophages leading to foam cell formation. We investigated whether periodontal treatment affects proatherogenic properties of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and, thus, macrophage activation.

Methods and results: LDL was isolated and characterized before and after treatment from 30 systemically healthy patients with periodontitis. Production of cytokines and LDL cholesteryl ester (LDL-CE) uptake by macrophages (RAW 264.7) was determined. Baseline periodontal variables correlated positively with serum LPS and C-reactive protein concentrations, as well as macrophage cytokine production and LDL-CE uptake. LPS concentration correlated positively with serum concentration of oxidized LDL and cytokine production. Higher cytokine production and LDL-CE uptake were induced by LDL isolated from patients with elevated number of affected teeth before treatment. Patients with serum LPS concentrations above the median (0.87 ng/mL) at baseline had higher serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (baseline versus after treatment, 1.30+/-0.19 versus 1.48+/-0.28 mmol/L; P=0.002) and HDL/LDL ratio (0.31+/-0.01 versus 0.34+/-0.10; P=0.048), but lower serum LPS concentration (1.70+/-0.49 versus 0.98+/-0.50 ng/mL; P=0.004) and autoantibodies to beta2-glycoprotein I (0.11+/-0.06 versus 0.09+/-0.04 ELISA units; P=0.022) after treatment.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that in systemically healthy patients, the infected/inflamed area in periodontitis is associated with macrophage activation via increased serum LPS concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cholesterol, LDL / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / blood*
  • Macrophage Activation / physiology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontitis / pathology*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipopolysaccharides