Periodontitis Exacerbates Renal Fibrosis In The CKD Mouse Model

An interplay between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been revealed, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of periodontitis on CKD progression. Male C57BL/6 mice (n=28) were allocated into four groups: Control, Periodontitis (P), 5/6 Nephrectomy (Nx) and Periodontitis+5/6 Nephrectomy (PNx). Periodontitis was induced by bilateral maxillary molar ligation in the P and PNx groups at 8 weeks old, followed by Porphyromonas gingivalis inoculation until sacrifice. 5/6 nephrectomy was performed in the Nx and PNx groups. Maxilla, kidney and blood samples were harvested 8 weeks after surgery. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by RT-qPCR (Fibronectin, α-SMA) and Masson’s trichrome staining. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were quantified to assess renal function. Alveolar bone loss was measured through micro-computed tomography. All animal experimental protocols were approved (SH9H-2025-A13-1). Compared with the control group, the Nx group exhibited a significantly greater fibrotic area and upregulated Fibronectin and α-SMA mRNA expression in kidney, and these pathological changes were further aggravated in the PNx group than in the Nx group (p<0.05). Alveolar bone loss was notably greater in the PNx group than that in the P and Nx groups. There were no differences in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen between Nx and PNx groups. Periodontitis may promote the progression of CKD by exacerbating renal fibrosis, highlighting the potential significance of periodontal intervention in the management of CKD.