Establishment And Analysis Of Periodontitis And Atherosclerosis Compound Model In Rabbit

Objective: To investigate the correlation between atherosclerosis and periodontitis by establishing an animal model of periodontitis and atherosclerosis in rabbit. Methods: 48 male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four groups, A (control group), B (periodontitis group), C (atherosclerosis group), D (atherosclerosis complicated with periodontitis group). Every group accepted the corresponding treatment. The periodontal index, levels of blood lipid and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were examined. Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Periodontitis severity was observed radiographically. And the histomorphology of the ascending aorta was surveyed by HE stain and Masson stain. The plaque vulnerability and severity was evaluated. An immunohistochemical investigation of the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was also performed. Results: Probing depth and sulcus bleeding index in group B and group D were higher than those in group A and group C (P<0.01). The radiograph showed clear bone loss in group B and D. The levels of blood lipid in group C and D were higher than those in group A and B (P<0.01). Atherosclerotic lesions of ascending aorta were formed in group C and D. And group D had more severe lesions than group C. The levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were highest in group D, and decreased in group C, B, A by turns. The protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was increased in group D than in group C (P<0.01). Conclusion: Periodontitis can aggravate the degree of atherosclerosis, which may be related to the much more severe inflammation and the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1.