[Effect of CORM-2 on atherosclerosis in experimental periodontitis of rats]

To evaluate the effect of CORM-2 (carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2) on atherosclerosis in experimental periodontitis of rats.

Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly. Rats in control group did not receive any procedure; animals in the carbon monoxide group (CO group) and the chronic periodontitis group (CP group) were induced experimental periodontitis and treated with CORM-2 (10mg/kg per day), or normal saline solution (NaCl 0.9%), respectively; animals in the solvent group (DMSO group) received dimethylsulfoxide solution (DMSO 0.05%) only. Blood samples were collected after 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days from all animals for analysis of C react protein (CRP), oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, (sVCAM-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rats were sacrificed after 28 days. Lipid deposition was checked by means of oil red staining in the descending aorta. Changes in alveolar bone levels were measured and periodontal tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the infiltration of inflammatory cells. SPSS17.0 software package was used to analyse the experimental data.

The serum levels of CRP, ox-LDL and sVCAM-1 in CP group were significantly higher than that in CO and the other two groups (P<0.05). The level of IL-10 in CP group was significantly lower (P<0.05). Lipid deposition in the descending aorta was observed in CP group. The alveolar bone loss and the ratio of presence of inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) in CP group were significantly higher compared with CO groups (P<0.05).

This study demonstrated that CORM-2 can not only reduce the inflammatory response in periodontal tissues in rats with experimental periodontitis, but also inhibit atherosclerosis-associated cytokines and lipid deposition in descending aorta, which suggests a favorable potential in treatment of periodontitis and atherosclerosis.