The study is aimed at assessing the impact that periodontal disease and chronic hepatitis C could have on gingival crevicular fluid levels of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase‐1 (CASP‐1), and interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) and at evaluating whether the increased local inflammatory reaction with clinical periodontal consequences is correlated to their upregulation. Patients were divided into four groups, according to their periodontal status and previously diagnosed hepatitis C, as follows: (i) CHC group, chronic hepatitis C patients; (ii) P group, periodontal disease patients, systemically healthy; (iii) CHC + P group, patients suffering from both conditions; and (iv) H group, systemically and periodontally healthy controls. Gingival crevicular samples were collected for quantitative analysis of the NLRP3 inflammasome, CASP‐1, and IL‐18. CHC + P patients expressed the worse periodontal status and the highest NLRP3, CASP‐1, and IL‐18 levels, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). The P group patients also expressed significantly more elevated NLRP3, CASP‐1, and IL‐18 levels, as compared to nonperiodontal patients (CHC and H groups). Chronic hepatitis C and periodontal disease could have a significant influence on the upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and its components, possibly contributing to an increased local inflammatory reaction and clinical periodontal consequences.

Comprehensive research conducted over the past decades has shown that there is a definite connection between periodontal and systemic conditions, leading to the development and consolidation of the “periodontal medicine” concept. The 2018 classification of periodontal conditions uses this concept as a key element of the precise diagnosis of and individualized therapeutical protocols for periodontitis patients. The topic of this review is the pathogenic connections that exist between periodontal disease and metabolic/digestive tract conditions. It is important to remember that the oral cavity is a key element of the digestive tract and that any conditions affecting its integrity and function (such as periodontitis or oral cancer) can have a significant impact on the metabolic and gastrointestinal status of a patient. Thus, significant diseases with links to metabolic or digestive disruptions were chosen for inclusion in the review, such as diabetes mellitus, hepatic conditions and gastric cancers. Periodontal pathogenic mechanisms share several significant elements with these conditions, including mutual pro-inflammatory mediators, bacterial elements and genetic predisposition. Consequently, periodontal screening should be recommended for affected patients, and conversely, periodontitis patients should be considered for careful monitoring of their metabolic and digestive status.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is the first essential step for the management of any periodontitis patient. This study aims to evaluate the impact of NSPT on pro-inflammatory mediators’ regulation and on clinical parameters in periodontitis patients who suffer from chronic hepatitis C. At baseline, selected patients were clinically evaluated for their periodontal status. A subsequent quantitative assessment of C-reactive protein and pentraxin-3 in samples of gingival fluid was performed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Afterwards, NSPT was performed. Three months after NSPT, the clinical and ELISA assessments were repeated. The results show an improvement of the clinical parameters in periodontitis patients at the three-month recall. In chronic hepatitis C patients with periodontitis, the gingival fluid levels of pro-inflammatory markers reduced significantly. The targeted markers also expressed significant correlations with the clinical parameters used for the assessment of periodontitis’ severity. The results suggest that, while chronic hepatitis C patients exhibited a more negative periodontal status at baseline as compared to non-hepatitis ones, NSPT is effective in decreasing the local periodontal inflammatory reaction and in proving the periodontal status of this type of patients. Given the limitation of the study, periodontal screening and NSPT should be included in the integrated therapeutical approach of chronic hepatitis C patients, for its impact on the local inflammatory response.

Background: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is associated with periodontal tissue inflammation, a condition that precedes alveolar bone resorption. It is also elevated in obese tissues and is a useful biomarker of proinflammatory status. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a proinflammatory and lipolytic adipokine. Adipocytes strongly express SAA, which suggests that it may have a significant role in the production of free fatty acids and local and systemic inflammation. Materials and Methods: We statistically analyzed the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) values of PTX3 and SAA in patients with periodontal disease, who were diagnosed with obesity, and compared them with the values of inflammatory markers from patients diagnosed with one of the diseases and with healthy patients. Results: The patients with obesity and periodontitis had significantly higher levels of PTX3 and SAA than the patients diagnosed with either obesity or periodontitis. Conclusions: These two markers are involved in the association between the two pathologies, as evidenced by the correlations between these levels and some clinical parameters.

The bacterial challenge on the periodontal tissues triggers an inflammatory reaction, driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines, that eventually leads to the periodontal structures’ damage. The pathogenic mechanisms of this inflammatory reaction are complex and are influenced by the type of host-immune response and certain local and systemic factors. These factors can influence periodontal inflammation, through the action of the various pro-inflammatory cytokines. Periodontal disease and certain systemic conditions can have a mutual association, as the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases can involve similar molecular and cellular elements. The concept of ‘periodontal medicine’ comprises these pathogenic connections, focusing on the key role that periodontal health has on the general homeostasis and well-being.

Background: This cross-sectional analytical study evaluates oral hygiene and periodontal status in patients with hypertension, given the established link between cardiovascular diseases and poor periodontal health. Methods: A total of 24 hypertensive patients (15 male; 9 female) and 30 healthy controls (19 male; 11 female) from Craiova, Romania, were assessed using Periodontal Probing Depth (PPD), the Plaque Index (PLQ), and the Bleeding on Probing Index (BPI). Results: The mean age was 62.2 years in the hypertensive group and 47.4 years in the control group. Oral hygiene was poorer in hypertensive patients (PLQ: 73% vs. 24.1% in controls), with higher PPD (5.2 mm vs. 3.7 mm) and BPI (82% vs. 23%). Among patients with dental implants, PLQ was 24% in hypertensive individuals vs. 15.6% in controls, PPD was 4.4 mm vs. 2.9 mm, and BPI was 44% vs. 15.5%. Conclusions: These findings indicate a higher risk of periodontal disease in hypertensive patients, though dental implants may decrease some adverse effects by improving oral hygiene and periodontal health in this population. In conclusion, our study highlights that patients with high blood pressure have a less favorable periodontal status compared to healthy controls.