Metabolic Parameters and Oral Microbiota in Patients with Atherosclerosis

Background and Aim: Oral infections are common among people of any age and can trigger systemic inflammation. The microbiota is a diverse group of microorganisms that play important roles in metabolism, immune function, and homeostasis. Oral microbiota in human atherosclerotic plaques has been identified using various techniques. Therefore, the focus of this study was to determine the correlation between metabolic parameters and oral microbiota composition in patients with atherosclerosis using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) assays. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, saliva samples were collected from 139 patients with atherosclerosis and healthy individuals from Imam Ali Cardiovascular Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran.  After DNA extraction, PCR products were examined and evaluated using DGGE assays. Results: The study included 89 (36%) patients with a history of atherosclerosis and 50 (36%) healthy individuals. 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. However, there was no significant difference in the mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Triglyceride levels between the study groups. Conclusion: Our results showed a relationship between metabolic parameters and oral microbiota composition in patients with atherosclerosis. Additionally, our results indicated that the DGGE assay is a useful method for diagnosing and comparing the oral microbiota of people with atherosclerosis and healthy individuals. Therefore, further examination of the oral microbiota is necessary to determine its potential as a biomarker for atherosclerosis.