February 3, 2025
Fujita Health University
Keio University
Tokyo Dental College
The University of Tokyo
A joint research group including Yoshitaka Kase (Fujita Health University/Keio University/The University of Tokyo), Satoru Morikawa (Department of Oral Surgery, Keio University), Taneaki Nakagawa (same affiliation), Kazuyuki Ishihara (Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College), Sumito Ogawa (Department of Geriatric Medicine, The University of Tokyo), and Hideyuki Okano (Fujita Health University/Keio University) has revealed that inflammation from periodontitis promotes aging and causes frailty in various organs.
Periodontitis, an advanced state of periodontal disease, has been reported to adversely affect various organs. However, it has not been clearly understood whether a decline in cognitive function makes it difficult to maintain oral hygiene, thereby leading to periodontitis, or whether a deteriorating oral environment directly causes a decline in cognitive function. Furthermore, in cases of long-term, low-grade inflammation like periodontitis, it was also unknown which organs are more susceptible to its effects.
This study, using a periodontitis mouse model, demonstrated the occurrence of cognitive decline, reduced femoral bone density, and slow-twitch muscle-specific weakness. Regarding bone density in particular, a decrease was observed even with mild periodontitis of short duration. It was found that treating the periodontitis alone was not sufficient for recovery and that active treatment to restore bone density is necessary.
This research provided evidence that periodontitis leads to frailty in various organs and revealed the importance of close collaboration with dental care, especially in geriatric medicine.
The results of this research were published in the international academic journal "Inflammation and Regeneration" (online edition, February 3, 10:00 a.m. [JST]).
Please see below for the full press release.