Cardiovascular and Autonomic Dysfunction in Murine Ligature-Induced Periodontitis

The present study examined the hemodynamics {[}arterial pressure (AP), AP variability (APV), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV)], cardiac function (echocardiographycally), and myocardial inflammation in Balb/c mice submitted to Periodontitis, through the ligation of the left first molar, or Sham surgical procedure. The first protocol indicated that the AP was similar (136 +/- 2 vs. 132 +/- 3mmHg in Sham), while the HR was higher in mice with Periodontitis (475 +/- 20 vs. 412 +/- 18 bpm in Sham), compared to their Sham counterparts. The APV was higher in mice with Periodontitis when evaluated in the time domain (4.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.2mmHg in Sham), frequency domain (power of the LF band of systolic AP), or through symbolic analysis (patterns 0V+1V), indicating a sympathetic overactivity. The HRV was similar in the mice with Periodontitis, as compared to their Sham counterparts. In the second protocol, the mice with Periodontitis showed decreased cardiac output (10 +/- 0.8 vs. 15 +/- 1.4mL/min in Sham) and ejection fraction (37 +/- 3 vs. 47 +/- 2% in Sham) associated with increased myocardial cytokines (Interleukin-17, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-4). This study shows that experimental Periodontitis caused cardiac dysfunction, increased heart cytokines, and sympathetic overactivity, in line with epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular events in clinical Periodontitis. (AU)