Abstract 9411: Deterioration of Myocardial Infarction in Mice Infected with Periodontal Pathogens, Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans

Abstract

Introduction Chronic inflammation plays a fundamental role in coronary heart disease (CHD). Periodontal disease is a common infectious disease among adults and is a potential source of systemic inflammation. However, the effect of periodontal infection on CHD has not been proven. Hypothesis We assessed the hypothesis that periodontopathic bacteria influence myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We surgically implanted a chamber into the subcutaneous tissue of each male mouse. Two weeks after the chamber implantation, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a., n = 8), which is a major periodontal bacteria, or PBS (n = 6) was injected into the chamber once a week. One week later, MI was induced by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Seven days after the operation, the ischemic hearts and blood samples were obtained. Results The plasma level of anti-A.a. antibody was statistically higher in the A.a.-infected mice than in the vehicle control mice (100.3 ± 20.3-fold vs. control, p < 0.05). Seven days after the experimental ischemia, infarction area of the infected mice by A.a. was significantly larger compared to that in the control mice (p < 0.05). The infarction area/ischemic myocardium ratio was 0.37 ± 0.04 in the A.a.-infected mice, while the infarction area/ischemic myocardium ratio of the control mice was 0.20 ± 0.06. Conclusions The experimental infection of periodontal bacteria could deteriorate left ventricular remodeling after MI.