Affiliations: [a] Neurology Department, School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, Brazil | [b] Orofacial Pain Team, Dentistry Division, Hospital das Clinicas, School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, Brazil | [c] Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil | [d] Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Immunology, School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, Brazil | [e] Geriatric Clinic, Clinical Medicine Department, School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, Brazil | [f] Gerontology, School of Arts, Science and Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Silvia R. D. T. de Siqueira, R Dr Haberbeck Brandao, 68 / ap 93, 04027-040, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Tel.: +55 11 991842878; E-mail: silviadowgan@hotmail.com.
Abstract: Background: Oral infections are prevalent in the adult population. Their impact includes the implication as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), altering its progression. One of the potential mechanisms involves immune mediators such as circulating cytokines. Objective: The goal of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of oral infections and blood levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and controls. Methods: Sixty-five elderly were evaluated (25 AD, 19 MCI, and 21 controls) by the following methods: Mini Mental State Exam, Questionnaire of Functional Activities, periodontal and oral evaluation, and blood concentrations of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6. Results: Patients with AD had high serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.029), and patients with periodontitis had high serum TNF-α levels (p = 0.005). There was an association between IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with AD/MCI and periodontitis (p = 0.023). Conclusion: The increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in this study suggests their implication in the overlapping mechanisms between oral infections and AD. Longitudinal studies are necessary for further investigation.
