To Örebro University

There is a strong association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders. A key event in the development of atherosclerosis is accumulation of modified lipoproteins within the arterial wall. We hypothesize that patients with periodontitis have an altered lipoprotein profile towards an atherogenic form. Therefore, this study aims at identifying modifications of plasma lipoproteins in periodontitis. Lipoproteins from ten female patients with periodontitis and gender- and age-matched healthy controls were isolated by density-gradient-ultracentrifugation. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel-electrophoresis and identified by map-matching or by nano-liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. ApoA-I methionine oxidation, Oxyblot, total antioxidant capacity and a multiplex of 71 inflammation-related plasma proteins were assessed.Reduced levels of apoJ, phospholipid transfer protein, apoF, complement C3, paraoxonase 3 and increased levels of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, apoA-II, apoC-III were found in HDL from the patients. In LDL/VLDL, the levels of apoL-1 and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase as well as apo-B fragments were increased. Methionine oxidation of apoA-I was increased in HDL and showed a relationship with periodontal parameters. Alpha-1 antitrypsin and alpha-2-HS glycoprotein were oxidised in LDL/VLDL and antioxidant capacity was increased in the patient group. 17 inflammation-related proteins were important for group separation with the highest discriminating proteins identified as IL-21, Fractalkine, IL-17F, IL-7, IL-1RA and IL-2.Patients with periodontitis have an altered plasma lipoprotein profile, defined by altered protein levels as well as posttranslational and other structural modifications towards an atherogenic form, which supports a role of modified plasma lipoproteins as central in the link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease (CVD).