Periodontal-bacterial DNA, Lipopolysaccharide-binding-proteins (LBP) and CD14 in Human Cardiac Tissue

Objectives: Aim was to verify firstly preliminary results of the connection and relation of periodontal-bacterial DNA to myocardium, and secondly whether their toxins (LPS) bind to myocardial tissue and are causative for inflammatory reactions in myocardial cells.
Methods: In 60 patients (71.4±9 years; f=17, m=43) myocardium biopsies were taken from ventricle (V) during heart surgery. The dental examination covered dental and periodontal status (PPD, CAL), and a sample of periodontal bacteria from sulcus fluid of the deepest pocket. Detection of the DNA of 11 periodontal pathogens in oral and heart samples (V) was carried out with PCR. Heart samples were prepared for detecting LPS-binding-protein (LBP: Western Blot), sections of tissue for inflammation scoring (0-3), and for determining immunohistochemical (IHC) parameters (score 0-3): macrophages (CD68), LPS-binding protein (LBP-big42) and LPS-binding protein-receptor (CD14).
Results: 53 patients (88%) showed moderate (n=15/25%) to severe (n=38/63%) periodontitis. The DNA of 11 periodontal pathogens in oral samples was found with a prevalence of 8% (Aac) to 95% (Fn). In cardiac tissue the prevalence was considerably lower; all 11 investigated bacteria were identified with highest prevalence of Fn (33%). LBP could be verified in V (0.13±0.18).No significant influence of periodontal status was detected (p=0.17). The morphological investigation revealed increased extracellular cell immigration in V, the median inflammation scoring was 2 and no significant influence of the periodontal condition was observed (p=0.88). IHC parameters showed a positive signal in median scoring: LBP-big42 and CD68 with 2, and CD14 with 1. Additionally, there was a significant influence of the periodontal situation on CD14 (p≤0.01) and LBP-big42 (p=0.04).
Conclusions: The results provide evidence of occurrence of oral bacteria DNA and LBP in human cardiac tissue. In addition, inflammatory signals are recognizable in a cascade with a possible link to periodontal health.