Apical Periodontitis May Exacerbate Ulcerative Colitis via Neutrophil Extracellular Trap-Mediated Systemic...

Area of Science:

• Oral and systemic health
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Apical periodontitis (AP) is a common oral infection.
• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• The connection between AP and UC is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how AP affects UC progression in a mouse model.
• To explore the roles of intestinal barrier dysfunction and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in this interaction.
• To provide insights into oral-systemic disease mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Mice were divided into control, AP, UC, and AP+UC groups.
• AP was induced via lipopolysaccharide; UC was induced via dextran sulfate sodium.
• Disease activity, colon length, histopathology, serum markers (CRP, ILs, NETs), tight junction proteins, and gut microbiota were analyzed.

Main Results:

• AP+UC mice showed significantly higher disease activity and colon damage compared to UC mice.
• Elevated serum inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-1β, IL-6) and NETs were observed in AP+UC mice.
• Intestinal barrier dysfunction, reduced goblet cells, and altered gut microbiota composition were linked to AP and UC.

Conclusions:

• AP exacerbates UC severity, likely via compromised intestinal barrier function and increased systemic NETs.
• Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a role in the exacerbation of UC by AP.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering oral health in managing systemic inflammatory conditions like UC.