How microbial dysbiosis causes an inflammation cycle
A study may have uncovered the mechanisms linking periodontitis to rheumatoid arthritis, according to a report from the University of Michigan.
In the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, researchers used 16S-amplicon sequencing, semi-quantitative bead-based flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze the subgingival plaque samples from nearly 160 participants with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis alone, rheumatoid arthritis alone or neither condition. The participants in the periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis group were further randomly assigned to undergo either intensive nonsurgical periodontal therapy or oral hygiene.
The researchers determined that subgingival microbial dysbiosis-mediated inflammation could contribute to a reciprocal relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although they identified subgingival microbial dysbiosis in the participants with either periodontitis alone, rheumatoid arthritis alone or both conditions — revealing the impacts of rheumatoid arthritis on oral health — those who had both periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis presented with higher serum antibody and oral pathogen levels. Following treatment with intensive nonsurgical periodontal therapy, the participants experienced host-microbial homeostasis and declines in serum antibodies and microbial antigens.
The researchers indicated that their findings showed that rheumatoid arthritis-triggered subgingival microbial dysbiosis could result in periodontal inflammation that, in turn, releases oral pathogens into the bloodstream, encourages systemic inflammation and exacerbates autoimmune responses in rheumatoid arthritis.
The results of the study could help shed light on the connection between the oral microbiome and systemic health and highlight the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration between dental professionals and rheumatologists.
Read more: Michigan News
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.