Inflammation Gene Tied to Periodontis, But Not Pregnancy Complications
June 23, 2010

By Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - One form of an immune-system gene may make people more likely to get periodontal disease. But this gene does not seem to put women at risk for pregnancy problems.

Some research has found a link between periodontal (gum) disease and premature birth or having a baby with low birth weight. It is still unclear how gum disease can increase the risk for pregnancy problems. One theory is related to inflammation. When the body creates an inflammation response to bacteria, proteins travel through the blood. These proteins may somehow trigger a premature birth or contribute to low birth weight.

Researchers from Japan did the gene study. It involved 130 pregnant women. Of these, 58 gave birth prematurely. The other 72 had full-term births.

The researchers tested the women's DNA for a gene called PPARgamma. The gene helps to control blood sugar levels. It also helps to reduce inflammation.

The researchers looked at two forms of the gene. One form (Ala) is not as effective at reducing inflammation as another form (Pro).

People have two copies of every gene. About 10% of the women in the study had one Ala copy and one Pro copy. The other 90% had two copies of Pro.

Researchers found that women with the Ala copy were more likely to have periodontal disease than women without it. But women with one Ala were not more likely to have preterm birth than other women were.

Women in this study who had periodontal disease were not more likely to give birth prematurely. Overall, women with premature births and women who had full term births had about the same amount of periodontal disease.

The usual rate of preterm birth in Japan is about 6 of every 100 babies. Almost half of the births were premature in this study. That's because many of the women in this study had a history of pregnancy problems. The study was done at a clinic that took care of high-risk women.

The study appears in the June issue of the Journal of Periodontology.