Cholesterol control drugs are useful in gum disease

South Carolina: Cholesterol-controlling drugs (statins) may help fight gum disease (periodontal disease), a new study suggests.

According to research conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina in the US, statins can help reduce the inflammation caused by gum infection by changing the behavior of immune cells called macrophages.

According to the results of the latest research, these drugs can help improve gum health while reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Subramanya Pendravada, an assistant professor at the university, said that during the study, the researchers mimicked the specific conditions during gum disease and observed an improvement in the macrophage response by introducing statins. This led to an opportunity to learn how drugs like statins could help treat inflammatory conditions such as these diseases.

He said that recent periodontal literature has shown beneficial effects of using statins alongside conventional therapy. However, this research has shown that statins specifically affect macrophages, which may help treat gum disease.