Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Investigation of hemorheological parameters in periodontal diseases
Nurten Seringec1, Guliz Guncu2, Okan Arihan3
1Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Insights
Poor periodontal health is linked to poorer blood flow properties, including higher plasma viscosity and red blood cell aggregation. These hemorheological changes may increase cardiovascular disease risk in patients with periodontitis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Hematology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Periodontal diseases are frequently associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
- Increased blood viscosity is also linked to CVD occurrence.
- Hemorheological parameters are key determinants of blood viscosity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hemorheological parameters (hematocrit, erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity) and biochemical markers in patients with periodontal disease.
- To determine if poor periodontal health is associated with deteriorated hemorheological properties.
Main Methods:
- Subjects were categorized into three groups: control (healthy), plaque-induced gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis.
- Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were measured using a laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORCA).
- Plasma viscosity was assessed via cone-plate viscometry; biochemical markers like hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and HDL were also analyzed.
Main Results:
- Chronic periodontitis patients exhibited significantly higher plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation tendency compared to controls.
- Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and globulin were elevated in the chronic periodontitis group.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Conclusions:
- Deterioration in hemorheological properties, including increased plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation, is associated with chronic periodontitis.
- Elevated inflammatory markers and altered lipid profiles in periodontitis patients further contribute to hemorheological changes.
- These hemorheological alterations may play a role in the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in individuals with periodontal disease.
Abstract:
Periodontal diseases are frequently associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). On the other hand, occurrence of CVD has also been related with increased blood viscosity. This study was planned to investigate four main hemorheological parameters contributing to blood viscosity - hematocrit, erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity - and also some biochemical parameters (hs-CRP, fibrinogen, globulin etc.) in patients with periodontal disease. We hypothesized that poor periodontal health would be associated with deterioration of hemorheological properties. According to periodontal health status, subjects were divided into three groups as control (healthy), with plaque induced gingivitis and with chronic periodontitis. All groups included 15 males who had not received periodontal therapy in the last six months before the study, were non-smokers, had no systemic diseases and were not on any medication. Erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte aggregation were measured with laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORCA). Plasma viscosity was measured by a cone-plate viscometer. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U Test and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Plasma viscosity (1.36 ± 0.01 mPa.s in the control group and 1.43 ± 0.02 mPa.s in the chronic periodontitis group, P < 0.01), erythrocyte aggregation tendency (aggregation index, amplitude and t½ were 58.82 ± 1.78% , 20.22 ± 0.40 au, 2.80 ± 0.25 s respectively in the control group, and 67.05 ± 1.47% , 22.19 ± 0.50 au, 1.84 ± 0.15 s in the chronic periodontitis group, P < 0.01), hs-CRP, fibrinogen and globulin levels were significantly higher, whereas HDL level was significantly lower in the chronic periodontitis group (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. All of these conditions may contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in people with periodontal disease, via increasing blood viscosity.

