Grape Seed Extract Reduces the Degree of Atherosclerosis in Ligature-Induced Periodontitis in Rats – An Experimental Study
Authors: Dimitriu Tudor ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Bolfa Pompei ,   Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suciu Soimita ,   Department of Physiology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Cimpean Adrian ,   Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Daradics Zsofia ,   Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Catoi Cornel ,   Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Armencea Gabriel ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,   Gabriel Armencea, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,8 V. Babes, 400012, Cluj-Napoca, Romania E-mail: garmencea@gmail.com, Baciut Grigore ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Bran Simion ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Dinu Cristian ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,   Cristian Dinu, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,8 V. Babes, 400012, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Phone: +40723352189 E-mail: dinu_christian@yahoo.com, Baciut Mihaela ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Published: November 2022

The associations between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases have been intensely studied in recent years. Oxidative stress is involved in the initiation and both progression of periodontitis and atherosclerosis. Antioxidants can reduce the effects of oxidative stress on inflammatory diseases. Our aim was to measure the effects of a grape seed extract (GSE), rich in antioxidants, on atherosclerosis caused by ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10: control group, periodontitis group, and periodontitis group treated with GSE (GSE group). Periodontitis was induced by placing an orthodontic wire around the cervix of the first mandibular molar and keeping it in place for 4 weeks. On days 1, 7 and 28, blood samples were taken to assess oxidative stress and inflammation markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione - MDA, reduced glutathione - GSH, C reactive protein) and lipids. After 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and aortas were collected for histopathologic examination. MDA was significantly higher in Periodontitis group compared to the other groups only at day 7. GSH was significantly increased in the Control and GSE groups on days 1 and 7, compared to Periodontitis group and on day 28 higher in GSE vs. Periodontitis groups. C reactive protein was significantly increased in the Periodontitis group on days 1 and 7 compared to both groups. Cholesterol was significantly decreased in the aortas of GSE group at day 28 compared to the Periodontitis group. Oral administration of a grape seed extract reduces the oxidative stress, inflammation and atherosclerosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.