Review- The periodontal pathogen Treponema denticola: an atherosclerosis risk factor

Objective: Treponema denticola “T. denticola” is a pathogen associated with periodontal diseases that exhibits capacity for adherence, invasion, and colonization of host tissues, which allows alternating its location and damage in different sites of human body. This review aimed to discuss different studies that detected T. denticola in atherosclerotic plaques, demonstrating the importance of periodontal disease on the systemic health and the necessity of exploring the outcome of this colonization apart from the oral cavity. Methodology: Fifty-five studies were identified and gathered in this review according to the following topics: Periodontal disease, atherosclerosis and T. denticola. In vitro and in vivo studies published between 2002 and 2020 were searched on PubMed, raising relevant insights about the role of T. denticola and its association with the systemic disease, atherosclerosis, focusing on the bacterial tissue invasion and development of atherosclerosis. Results: After bibliographic review, it was possible to identify studies demonstrating the presence of T. denticola and other oral pathogens in cardiac or vascular tissues and in blood serum, as well, there is research in which other evidence of a relationship with atherosclerosis is shown. Conclusion: The invasion of periodontal pathogens and its toxins associated to the host’s immune and inflammatory response may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

Plasma high density lipoproteins phospholipds as an indirect indicator of their cholesterol efflux capacity — new suspected atherosclerosis risk factor

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are a unique natural structure, protecting the body from the development of atherosclerotic vascular lesions and cardiovascular diseases due to this ability to remove cholesterol from cells. Plasma HDL level estimated by their cholesterol content, is a common lipid parameter, and its decrease is considered as an established atherosclerosis risk factor. However, a number of studies have shown the absence of positive clinical effects after drug-induced increase in HDL cholesterol. There is increasing evidence that not only HDL concentration, but also HDL properties, considered in this review are important. Many studies showed the decrease of HDL cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with coronary heart diseases and its association with disease severity. Some authors consider a decrease of this HDL capacity as a new additional risk factor of atherosclerosis. The review summarizes existing information on various protein and lipid components of HDL with a primary emphasis on the HDL. Special attention is paid to correlation between the HDL cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL phospholipids and the ratio “phospholipids/free cholesterol”. The accumulated information indicates importance of evaluation in the HDL fraction not only in terms of their cholesterol, but also phospholipids. In addition to the traditionally used lipid criteria, this would provide more comprehensive information about the activity of the reverse cholesterol transport process in the body and could contribute to the targeted correction of the detected disorders.

FLAVIN-CONTAINING MONOOXYGENASES (FMOS): LONGEVITY-PROMOTING ENZYMES OR ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK FACTOR?

Since their discovery in 1970, flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) have been studied as Phase 1 xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes that act on sulfur- and nitrogen-containing small molecules. In 2015, we demonstrated that C. elegans (worm) fmo-2 was not only necessary for hypoxic response and dietary restriction-mediated lifespan extension, but was also sufficient to extend lifespan when overexpressed. Consistenet with a conserved role for FMOs as longevity-promoting enzymes, mouse hepatic Fmo3 transcript is highly upregulated by numerous major lifespan extending interventions. A contrasting series of reports, however, have described mammalian Fmo3-mediated production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and other major diseases. My thesis research aims to define the regulation and function of worm fmo-2 using genetic and biochemical approaches. My data thus far support the hypothesis that fmo-2 acts on sulfur amino acid pathway intermediates to promote longevity and healthspan.

Wybrane czynniki ryzyka chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego związane z miażdżycą tętnic jako problem zdrowotny wśród młodzieży ponadgimnazjalnej

Introduction. A World Health Organization (WHO) conference on a “second wave” epidemic of cardiovascular diseases, directly linked to arterial sclerosis (AS), predicts that in 2020 cardiovascular diseases will most likely be the leading cause of death in the world. The development of AS begins in youth and progresses with age. It’s intensity depends on the risk factors involved, such as: smoking, hypertension, obesity and fat and sugar disorders in the body. Aim. The aim of this study was to establish the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and their existence, among the youth of the upper gymnasium school. Material and methods. The research was conducted using 511 volunteer students from upper and lower gymnasium schools, between 16-19 years of age. Our research methods included: a diagnostic questionnaire, the measurement of blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements. In the statistical study, we used chi-square independence testing, the V-Kramer test and the tau-b Kendall test; the level of changes α = 0.05 – was used. Results. Over a half of the study group (52.5%) was characterised with the lack of recommended physical activity, much more common in girls than boys (p = 0.000), just like smoking (p = 0.009) which was declared by 39.7% of the interviewed youth. In turn, a heightened value of systolic and diastolic pressure occurred more often in boys (19.6%) than in girls (12.1%); (p = 0.000 vs. p = 0.003). Excessive body mass was noted in 15.7% of the respondents, also more often in boys than in girls (p = 0.02), and abdominal obesity occurred in 10.2% of the respondents, with no significant differences between the sexes. 42.3% of the respondents showed one, 29.9% showed two and 18.8% showed three atherosclerosis risk factors. 9.0% of the study group showed 4 and more such risk factors. Accumulation of atherosclerosis risk factors occurred significantly more often in girls than in boys (p = 0.002). Conclusions. In all the respondents at least one atherosclerosis risk factor was found, and in over half of the study group, more frequently in girls than in boys, an accumulation of two or more risk factors was observed. Lack of recommended physical activity was the most frequent atherosclerosis risk factor occurring in the youth.

Efek Air Perasan Umbi Bawang Merah (Allium ascalonicum L.) terhadap Profil Lipid Plasma Mencit (Mus musculus)

One of atherosclerosis risk factor is dislipidemia. One of plant that is expected to overcome dislipidemia is shallot(Allium ascalonicum L.). The aim of this research was to know the effect of shallot’s extraction water on the plasmalipid profile of mice. Groups with treatment consist of yolks group, and shallot water extraction divided into threetreatmen level ; 20%, 40% and 80%. Parameters that were measured were total cholesterol level, LDL, HDL andplasma triglyceride of mice in the end of treatment. Simvastatin and aquadest were separately used as positive andnegative control. This research proves that shallot’s extortion water has effect in decreasing the level of total cholesterol,LDL and triglyceride and also has effect in increasing level of HDL plasma with 80% of concentration as the bestconcentration.

Data Mining in Atherosclerosis Risk Factor Data

The aim of this chapter is to describe goals, current results, and further plans of long-time activity concerning application of data mining and machine learning methods to the complex medical data set. The analyzed data set concerns a longitudinal study of atherosclerosis risk factors. The structure and main features of this data set, as well as methodology of observation of risk factors, are introduced. The important first steps of analysis of atherosclerosis data are described in details together with a large set of analytical questions defined on the basis of first results. Experience in solving these tasks is summarized and further directions of analysis are outlined.

Is lipoprotein(a) regulating prostaglandin I2-synthesis stimulating plasma factor?

Introduction. Lipoprotein(a) - Lp(a) is accepted as an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The mechanism, however, and how it exerts its pathogenetic role is still unclear. More than a decade ago a deficiency of prostacyclin synthesis stimulating plasma factor (PF) was claimed to be associated with an increased Lp(a). Objective. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess whether elevated Lp(a) is associated with a PF-deficiency and whether certain risk factors may exert influence. Methods. In a total of 185 patients (131 men and 54 women), aged 30-85 years, suffering from clinically manifested atherosclerosis risk factor profile, lipids, lipoproteins and PF under drug intake were evaluated. Results. Patients with absent PF-activity did not differ concerning age, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference and different lipid and lipoprotein parameters. Mean Lp(a) in patients with absent PF-activity was 18 vs. 94 mg/dl (p<0.001). Laboratory parameters such as C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, protein S, protein C, activated protein C resistance and others were not different. In patients with normal (<30 mg/dl) Lp(a) only 4 males (3.4%) and 3 females (4.8%) had PF-deficiency, while the Lp(a) cut-off of 30 mg/dl the prevalence was 61.1% males and 64.4.% females. Conclusion. These findings indicate that the association of PF-deficiency with increased Lp(a), at least in part, could contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in these patients.