口腔内某些细菌可能诱发心脏病

Plaque¹（血小板，斑块） -causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack says a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting in Nottingham. Professor Howard Jenkinson, from the University of Bristol explains how oral bacteria can wreak²（发泄，报仇） havoc³（浩劫，蹂躏） if they are not kept in check（阻止，约束） by regular brushing and flossing（牙线，丝绵） . "Poor dental hygiene⁴ can lead to bleeding gums（牙龈，牙床） , providing bacteria with an escape route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate⁵ blood clots⁶ leading to heart disease," he said. #

Streptococcus bacteria commonly live in the mouth, confined within communities termed biofilms（生物膜） and are responsible for causing tooth plaque and gum disease. The University of Bristol researchers, in collaboration⁷ with（合作） scientists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), have shown that once let loose in the bloodstream, Streptococcus bacteria can use a protein on their surface, called PadA, as a weapon to force platelets（血小板） in the blood to bind⁸ together and form clots.

Inducing blood clots is a selfish trick used by bacteria, as Professor Jenkinson points out. "When the platelets clump⁹ together they completely encase（包住，围绕） the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics¹⁰ that might be used to treat infection," he said. "Unfortunately, as well as helping¹¹ out the bacteria, platelet clumping¹² can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves（心脏瓣膜） (endocarditis心内瓣膜), or inflammation of blood vessels¹³ that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain."

Professor Jenkinson said the research highlights a very important public health message. "People need to be aware that as well keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol¹⁴（胆固醇） and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems." #

The team is using a brand-new blood flow model, developed by Dr Steve Kerrigan at the RCSI, School of Pharmacy¹⁵, Dublin, that mimics¹⁶ conditions in the human circulatory system. "We are currently investigating how the platelet-activating function of PadA can be blocked. This could eventually lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease（心血管疾病） which is the biggest killer#p#分页标题#e#¹⁷ in the developed world," said Professor Jenkinson. #