SYSTEMIC ENDOTHELIAL CONSEQUENCES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the periodontal tissues that may lead to bone and tooth loss. When severe, the local infection in the mouth may stimulate release of factors into the blood that cause damage to blood vessels throughout the body. In support of this possibility, recent studies show that patients with periodontal disease have signs of damage to the endothelium (inner lining of cells in blood vessels). This effect might explain, in part, recent studies showing higher rates of heart attack and stroke in such patients. The proposed study will determine whether more intensive treatment of advanced periodontal disease (deep cleaning and gum surgery where appropriate) improves the function of the endothelium.