Scientists chart the path of bacterial toxins from the mouth to the brain and other tissues-ScienceDaily

The bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, is the bad actor involved in periodontitis, the most serious form of gum disease. These new discoveries underscore the importance of good dental hygiene as scientists look for ways to better control this common bacterial infection.

"Oral hygiene is very important throughout our lives, not only to have a beautiful smile, but also to reduce the risk of many serious diseases," said Jan Potempa, PhD, DSc, professor at the faculty of Dentistry at the University of Louisville. the microbiology department of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. "People with genetic risk factors that make them vulnerable to rheumatoid arthritis or Alzheimer's disease should be extremely concerned about preventing gum disease."

Previous researchers have noted the presence of P. gingivalis In brain samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease, the Potempa team, together with Cortexyme, Inc., offers the best evidence to date that the bacterium can really contribute to the development of the disease. Alzheimer's disease. Potempa will present his research at the annual meeting of the American Association of Anatomists, on the occasion of the 2019 meeting on Experimental Biology, to be held from April 6 to 9 in Orlando, Florida.

The researchers compared brain samples from deceased people with and without Alzheimer's disease who were about the same age at death. They found P. gingivalis was more common in samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease, as evidenced by the DNA fingerprint of the bacterium and the presence of its main toxins, called gingipains.

In studies using mice, they showed P. gingivalis can pbad from the mouth to the brain and that this migration can be blocked by chemicals that interact with the Gingipans. An experimental drug blocking gingipains, called COR388, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Cortexime, Inc. and the Potempa team are working on other compounds that block enzymes essential to the P. gingivalis and other gum bacteria in the hope of interrupting their role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases.

The researchers also reported evidence on the role of the bacterium in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, as well as in aspiration pneumonia, an infection of the lungs caused by the inhalation of food or saliva.

"P. gingivalisIts main toxins, the enzymes that the bacteria needs to perform its devilish tasks, are good targets for potential new medical interventions to combat various diseases, "said Potempa. The beauty of these approaches to antibiotics is focused only on key pathogens, leaving only the good commensal bacteria we need. "

P. gingivalis usually begins to seep into the gums during adolescence. About one in five people under the age of 30 have a low concentration of bacteria in the gums. Although it is not harmful for most people, if it grows in large numbers, the bacteria causes the body's immune system to create inflammation, resulting in redness, swelling, bleeding and erosion of the gum tissue.

Aggravate things, P. gingivalis even causes benign bacteria in the mouth to alter their activities and further increase the immune response. Bacteria can move from the mouth into the blood simply by chewing or brushing your teeth.

The best way to prevent P. gingivalis According to Mr. Potempa, you should brush and floss regularly and consult a dental hygienist at least once a year. Smokers and the elderly are at increased risk of infection. Genetic factors are also thought to play a role, but they are not well understood.

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