Statins improve periodontal disease–induced inflammatory changes and associated lipid peroxidation in patients with dyslipidemia: Two birds by one stone

Abstract

Aim: To show the potential role of statins on the inflammatory and lipid peroxidation biomarkers in patients with periodontal disease (PD). Materials and Methods: This case-controlled cross-sectional study involved 74 patients with PD and/or dyslipidemia divided into: Group (A): 34 patients with PD not on statin therapy (non-statin users), Group (B): 40 patients with PD on statin therapy (statin users), and Group (C): 30 healthy controls. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Also blood pressure profile and the indices of PD were evaluated in each group. Statistical analysis was conducted by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Patients with PD showed high cardiometabolic disturbances compared with control subjects. Inflammatory and lipid peroxidation biomarkers were higher in patients with PD compared with control subjects; IL-6, CRP, TNF-α, and MDA sera level were high in patients with PD compared with control subjects (P = 0.001). Statin therapy, either simvastatin or atorvastatin, led to significant reduction in TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, blood pressure profile, and cardiac risk indices with elevation in HDL compared with non-statin user (P < 0.01). Also, statin therapy in patients with PD led to significant reduction in IL-6, CRP, TNF-α, and MDA sera levels compared with non-statin user (P < 0.05). Simvastatin and atorvastatin produced improved periodontal indices compared with non-statin user (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both simvastatin and atorvastatin are effective therapies in patients with PD through amelioration of PD-induced inflammatory disorders and periodontal indices.