Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) Director of Research and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Karima Ait-Aissa, in collaboration with the University of Iowa, authored a research paper that was accepted and published in the "Journal of American Heart Association".
"The Journal of the American Heart Association" (JAHA): Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease is a prestigious international, peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal dedicated to publishing original research across a broad spectrum. This includes studies involving human subjects, experimental models, and applied clinical, epidemiological, and healthcare policy research related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. As an official journal of the American Heart Association, JAHA aspires to be the foremost open-access scientific publication in its field globally. With an impressive impact factor of 6.106, JAHA stands among the elite journals in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research.
Dr. Ait-Aissa’s project delves into the bystander effect of radiation therapy on endothelial mitochondria and its role in the onset of vascular diseases. The goal of this research is to uncover new therapeutic targets and develop effective treatments to prevent long-term radiation-induced damage to normal tissues.
Recent research has uncovered a fascinating potential benefit of statins, commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs, in the realm of radiation therapy. While these drugs are known for their role in reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, scientists have been investigating their potential to mitigate chronic vascular injuries induced by radiation. In this current study, Dr. Ait-Aissa and collaborators showed that even a short-term administration of pravastatin significantly reduced long-term vascular damage following cranial irradiation. Remarkably, extending pravastatin treatment to a full year after irradiation not only reduced but completely reversed the adverse vascular changes. These compelling findings hint at the promise of incorporating statins into treatment plans for patients undergoing radiation therapy, potentially safeguarding their cardiovascular health. However, the ideal duration of such a treatment regimen in humans remains to be determined, marking an exciting frontier for future clinical research.
In addition to the well-known link between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular pathologies, cancer treatments have been found to impact oral health directly, leading to periodontal issues.
“The findings from this study unveil a promising avenue for harnessing the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of statins in head and neck cancer patients,” said Dr. Ait-Aissa. “This approach could not only prevent therapy-induced periodontal diseases but also protect against the onset of cardiovascular diseases, offering a dual benefit in patient care.”
For more information or to read the full research publication click here.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is located in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower. For more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
