The interplay of edentulism, smoking, microbiota, oral rehabilitation on cytokineprofile and different conditions of hypertension

Objective

To evaluate the influence of edentulism, smoking, microbiota, and oral rehabilitation on the cytokine profile in healthy and hypertensive edentulous individuals using complete dentures.

Design

This case-control study was divided into four groups: normotensives (control group - NH), controlled hypertensives (case group 1 - CH), unreported hypertensives (case group 2 - UnrH), and uncontrolled hypertensives (case group 3 - UncH). The participants were characterized by sociodemographic data, clinical and behavioral information, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The microbial load of Candida spp., Staphylococcus spp., enterobacteria, and mutans streptococci was evaluated by quantifying colony-forming unit. Salivary flow and salivary cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17) were quantified in unstimulated saliva by mL per minute and by flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

Eighty patients (66 ± 7.2 years) were evaluated. The duration of edentulism was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (p = 0.012). Patients with non-functional denture rehabilitation, those with only upper complete dentures, showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.024) and levels of IL-2 (p = 0.024), predominantly in UncH. The colony-forming unit of mutans streptococci on the denture was higher in UncH and showed a negative association with smoking habit, and this had a positive association with salivary cytokines (IL-4, IL-2, IL-17, IFN-γ) and CVD.

Conclusions

The interplay between edentulism, smoking, and oral rehabilitation significantly impacts the cytokine profile, particularly in hypertensive conditions. Smoking habits modulated microbiota and interleukin profile, especially in cardiovascular patients. Moreover, non-functional dentures are associated with uncontrolled hypertension, marked by increased systolic blood pressure and IL-2.