The expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in rats with periodontitis and atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in rats with periodontitis and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (C), periodontitis group (P), atherosclerosis group (AS), and periodontitis plus atherosclerosis group (P + AS). The levels of MIF and ICAM-1 in serum were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression of MIF and ICAM-1 in the carotid artery tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The results of the ELISA showed that the serum level of MIF in the P + AS group (59.40 +/- 3.92 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that in the C group (42.93 +/- 2.63 ng/mL), the P group (45.57 +/- 2.59 ng/mL) and the AS group (50.88 +/- 4.20 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). Similarly, the ICAM-1 level in the P + AS group (6.77 +/- 1.47 ng/mL) was much higher than that in the C (1.33 +/- 0.25 ng/mL), P (3.99 +/- 0.44 ng/mL) and AS groups (4.19 +/- 0.89 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of MIF, as assessed by immunohistochemical staining, was significantly higher in the artery tissues of the P + AS group than in the tissues of the other three groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the protein level of ICAM-1 between the P + AS and AS groups, where its expression was much stronger than in the C and the P groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that there is a close association between periodontitis and atherosclerosis. MIF and ICAM-1 may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and periodontitis.