Metabolic Parameters and Oral Microbiota in Patients with Atherosclerosis

Background and Aim: Oral infections are usual between people of any age and can activate systemic inflammation. The microbiota consists of a variety of microorganisms that play an important role in metabolism, immune function, and homeostasis. Oral microbiota in human atherosclerotic plaques has been identified by various techniques. Therefore, the focus of study was to determine the correlation between metabolic parameters and oral microbiota composition in patients with atherosclerosis by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) assays. Material and Method: In this case-control study, 139 saliva from patients with atherosclerosis and healthy individuals were collected from Imam Ali Cardiovascular Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran.  After DNA extraction, PCR products were examined and evaluated using DGGE assays. Results: In this study, 89 (36%) had a history of atherosclerosis and 50 (36%) were healthy. There was a significant relationship between the mean total cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) in the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in the mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Triglyceride between the study groups. Conclusion: Our results showed a relationship between metabolic parameters and oral microbiota composition in patients with atherosclerosis. Also, our results indicated that the DGGE assay is a good way to diagnose and compare the oral microbiota of people with atherosclerosis and health, so the oral microbiota should be further examined to determine its potential as a biomarker for atherosclerosis.