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Postnatal lipopolysaccharide-induced illness predisposes to periodontal disease in adulthood

Torbjørn Breivik1, Michael Stephan, Georg E Brabant

  • 1Department of Periodontology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|July 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Early life exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats alters adult stress responses and increases susceptibility to periodontal disease. This early illness impacts behavior and neuroendocrine functions, leading to long-term health consequences.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Periodontology

Background:

  • Neonatal exposure to pathogens can have lasting effects on health.
  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key component of Gram-negative bacteria, known to trigger immune responses.
  • Understanding early-life stress impacts on adult disease is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of neonatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure on adult rats.
  • To assess the impact on behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responsiveness.
  • To determine the influence on the progression of periodontal disease.

Main Methods:

  • Male Lewis rats were exposed to LPS or saline (SHAM) on postnatal days 3 and 5.
  • Behavioral tests (social interaction, elevated plus maze, holeboard, open field) assessed anxiety and diurnal rhythmicity.
  • Periodontal fiber loss and plasma cytokine levels (interleukin-6, interferon-gamma) were measured at 7 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal LPS exposure altered diurnal activity patterns and increased anxiety-like behaviors in adult rats.
  • LPS-treated rats showed significantly increased periodontal fiber loss and elevated plasma interleukin-6 levels.
  • SHAM-treated rats exhibited high plasma interferon-gamma and protective effects against periodontal disease.

Conclusions:

  • Early postnatal LPS exposure significantly modulates adult behavioral stress responses.
  • Neonatal illness predisposes rats to periodontal disease in adulthood.
  • Immune responses and stress reactivity are key factors linking early-life events to later disease susceptibility.

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