Occlusal trauma aggravates periodontitis through the plasminogen/plasmin system

Area of Science:

• Oral Biology
• Biomedical Science
• Pathology

Background:

• Periodontitis is a prevalent oral inflammatory condition.
• Occlusal trauma is a known aggravating factor in periodontitis.
• Fibrin deposition in periodontal tissues contributes to disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of occlusal trauma in periodontitis progression.
• To examine the regulation of the plasminogen/plasmin system by occlusal trauma.
• To determine the impact of occlusal trauma on fibrin deposition in periodontal tissues.

Main Methods:

• Periodontitis and occlusal trauma were induced in a mouse model (n=84).
• Bone resorption was quantified using micro-computed tomography.
• Levels of fibrin, fibrinogen, plasminogen, plasmin, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) were measured using various biochemical and histological techniques.

Main Results:

• Occlusal trauma exacerbated inflammation and bone resorption in periodontitis.
• Significant fibrin deposition was observed in periodontitis, further increased by occlusal trauma.
• Occlusal trauma led to decreased fibrinogen, t-PA, and u-PA, alongside reduced plasmin and fibrin degradation products, and increased plasminogen.

Conclusions:

• Occlusal trauma exacerbates periodontitis by promoting excessive fibrin deposition.
• This exacerbation is mediated by the suppression of the plasminogen/plasmin system.
• Understanding this mechanism offers potential therapeutic targets for periodontitis management.