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Research has revealed that statins have the potential to combat gum disease.
The study suggests that cholesterol-lowering medications may be able to decrease the inflammation linked to periodontal disease by modifying the actions of immune cells known as macrophages.
Statins are frequently prescribed in the United Kingdom, with approximately eight million individuals utilizing them to decrease cholesterol levels in the bloodstream and safeguard the lining of arteries.
Based on the results of the recent research, medications may have the added benefit of enhancing gum wellness and decreasing the likelihood of heart disease.
Our research unveils a unique method in which statins specifically target macrophages, leading to potential treatment for periodontal disease through this mechanism.
According to Subramanya Pandruvada, an assistant professor in the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in the United States, the team’s research showed that including statins in our laboratory model altered the reaction of macrophages under simulated periodontal disease conditions.
By conducting this study, we were able to investigate the potential of statins, a type of medication, in treating inflammatory conditions like periodontal disease.
He stated that recent literature on periodontal health has demonstrated the positive results of combining statins with traditional periodontal treatment.
“Nevertheless, our research presents a new method in which statins have a targeted impact on macrophages, potentially aiding in the treatment of periodontal disease.”
When bacteria grow in the gums, it leads to periodontal disease. This triggers the immune system, resulting in symptoms like swelling, bleeding, and bone deterioration.
Failure to address the issue could result in the loss of teeth.
Some of the current options for treating this condition involve using antibiotics, performing deep cleanings on the teeth and roots, and undergoing different surgical procedures.
Macrophages have a significant role in assisting the body in combatting infections. However, their impact on inflammation can vary depending on the form they assume during different stages of the immune response.
The research involved growing macrophages and gum cells in a lab and exposing them to different conditions.
A study discovered that the use of simvastatin, a popular statin medication, reduced the inflammatory response in macrophages.
The results, to be unveiled at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s annual Discover BMB conference, expand on the initial findings published in Cells last year.
The main researchers for the study are Waleed Alkakhan, who is currently a dental resident specializing in periodontology, and Nico Farrar, a student at the Medical University of South Carolina studying dentistry.
Source: independent.co.uk
