Periodontal
Disease May Negatively Effect The Success Of Organ Transplant Survival
[
Submitted by Dr Andreas Siebold on 14 November, 2006 ]
Given
the association between transplant rejection and levels of
interleukin-6,a molecule also found in high levels in periodontal
inflammation, researchers explore the possible association between
chronic periodontitis and transplant rejection.
CHICAGO - Researchers from the
University of Connecticut Health Center are the first to report an
interrelationship between periodontal and systemic inflammation in solid
organ transplant recipients. This study appears in this month's issue of
the Journal of Periodontology.
For a long time researchers have known that inflammation plays a pivotal
role in organ transplant rejection and that levels of serum
interleukin-6 (IL-6) can identify individuals who are at greater risk
for transplant rejection. IL-6 is a protein that is secreted to
stimulate the immune response to trauma, foreign antigens, or
infections, such as periodontal infection. Once secreted, IL-6 can enter
the bloodstream and circulate in an active form long enough to mediate
distal effects in other tissues and organs.
"Our goal was to assess the periodontal status of solid organ
transplant patients to quantify the IL-6 levels in bloodstream and
gingival tissues and explore their possible association with chronic
periodontitis," explains Principal Investigator Anna
Dongari-Bagtzoglou, DDS, MS, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair of the
Division of Periodontology at University of Connecticut Health Center.
"We found that in transplant patients with chronic periodontitis,
bloodstream IL-6 levels were elevated compared to those with no
periodontitis, and were positively association with locally synthesized
levels of IL-6 within periodontal tissue. This suggests that periodontal
infections have the potential to affect systemic levels of IL-6 in this
population."
In support of this, it was also found that clinical periodontal
parameters such as probing depth and clinical attachment loss were
independent predictors of the body's IL-6 levels.
"With research and science advancing every day, the life expectancy
after organ transplantation is on a steady rise," said Preston D.
Miller, DDS and AAP president. "Further studies monitoring
periodontal disease, IL-6 and transplant tissues are needed to provide
conclusive evidence that periodontal inflammation may have negative
effects on long-term transplant survival."
STUDY BACKGROUND
Forty-seven kidney and cardiac transplant patients were recruited for
this study. Patients had to be clinically stable, at least one-year post
transplant, absent of additional systemic conditions that might elevate
the systemic inflammatory status and no history of periodontal treatment
within the last year. A group of 18 systemically healthy individuals
that matched the age and sex were also recruited.
All individuals received a complete clinical periodontal examination,
medical records of the transplant subjects were reviewed and a blood and
gingival sample were taken to quantify levels of IL-6. This study was
supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(NIH).
A referral to a periodontist and a free brochure titled Periodontal
Diseases: What You Need to Know is available by visiting the AAP website
at www.perio.org or calling toll-free
at 800/FLOSS-EM (800.356-7736).
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of
dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of
the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the
American Dental Association.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kerry Gutshall
The American Academy of Periodontology
Phone: 312.573.3243
Fax: 312.573.3234
www.perio.org
EDITOR'S NOTE: A copy of the JOP article "Elevated Serum IL-6 in
Solid Organ Transplant Recipients is Positively Associated with Tissue
Destruction and IL-6 Gene Expression in the Periodontium" is
available to the media by contacting the AAP Public Affairs Department
at 312/573-3243. The public and/or non-AAP members can view a study
abstract online, and the full-text of the study may be accessed online
for $20.00 at http://www.joponline.org/
