Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t just about a dazzling smile; it could also play a vital role in safeguarding your heart.
Researchers in Japan, from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), have recently uncovered a connection between oral health and heart health.
Their study, published in the International Journal of Oral Science, reveals that a common oral pathogen may hinder the heart’s ability to recover after a heart attack caused by coronary heart disease.
Understanding Heart Attacks
Heart attacks occur when the coronary arteries, responsible for delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle, become blocked.
This blockage deprives the heart of vital resources, leading to the death of cardiac myocytes, the heart’s muscle cells.
To prevent further damage, cardiac myocytes employ a process called autophagy. Autophagy allows cells to eliminate damaged components, preventing them from causing dysfunction in the heart.
The Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Lead author Yuka Shiheido-Watanabe explains that previous studies have detected the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a common oral pathogen, at the site of occlusion in myocardial infarction (heart attack).
However, the precise mechanisms by which this bacterium affects the heart remained a mystery.
Uncovering the Mechanism
To uncover this mystery, researchers modified Porphyromonas gingivalis to create a version that did not express gingipain, its most potent virulence factor.
A prior study had shown that gingipain can inhibit cells from undergoing programmed cell death in response to injury. Using this modified bacterium, the researchers infected cardiac myocytes and mice.
The Findings
The results were striking. Cells infected with the mutant bacterium lacking gingipain demonstrated significantly higher viability compared to cells infected with the wild-type bacterium.
Moreover, in mice, myocardial infarction’s effects were far more severe in those infected with the wild-type Porphyromonas gingivalis than in those infected with the mutant version lacking gingipain.
Understanding the Impact
A closer look at this phenomenon revealed that gingipain disrupts the fusion of two cellular components called autophagosomes and lysosomes.
This interference hampers the crucial process of autophagy. In mice, this disruption led to an increase in the size of cardiac myocytes and the accumulation of proteins that should have been cleared out of the cells to protect the cardiac muscle.
Implications for Heart Health
The researchers’ findings suggest that infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis, particularly when it produces gingipain, results in excessive accumulation of autophagosomes.
This accumulation can lead to cellular dysfunction, cell death, and ultimately, cardiac rupture.
A Promising Path Forward
Given the significant impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis on the heart’s ability to heal itself after a heart attack, addressing this common oral infection could prove essential in reducing the risk of fatal heart attacks.
This research highlights the interconnectedness of oral health and overall well-being, emphasizing the importance of regular dental care in maintaining not only a radiant smile but also a healthy heart.
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The research findings can be found in the International Journal of Oral Science.
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