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The risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression are not completely known. Porphyromonasgingivalis infection is a risk factor for systemic diseases. We investigated the association of P.gingivalis infection with the risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis progression. Here, hematological tests, periodontal examination, and saliva collection were performed for 164 patients with NAFLD. P.gingivalis was identified in saliva using polymerase chain reaction. Hepatic steatosis and stiffness were evaluated using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and magnetic resonance imaging. In patients with NAFLD, P.gingivalis positivity (P.gingivalis ratio ≥ 0.01%) in saliva correlated with liver stiffness determined using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE; p < 0.0001). A P.gingivalis ratio of 0.01% corresponds to 100,000 cells/mL and indicates the proportion of P.gingivalis in the total number of bacteria in the oral cavity. Patients with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis on MRE showed significantly elevated endotoxin activity; those who had > 10 periodontal pockets with depths ≥ 4 mm had significantly increased hepatic stiffness on both VCTE and MRE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with the progression of colorectal cancer. Thus, the possibility of preventing colorectal cancer or its progression by targeting F. nucleatum has been explored. As F. nucleatum is associated with periodontitis, we analysed whether treating periodontitis could influence F. nucleatum abundance in the colon. Patients with colorectal tumours who underwent colonoscopy were recruited. Patients diagnosed with periodontitis by a dentist were treated for approximately 3 months. Endoscopic resection of colorectal tumours was performed after periodontitis treatment, and resected tumours were pathologically classified as high-(HGD) or low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Saliva and stool samples were collected before and after the treatment. Of the 58 patients with colorectal tumours, 31 were included in the study, 16 showed improvement in periodontitis, and 11 showed no improvement. Stool F. nucleatum levels before treatment were significantly lower in the LGD group than in the HGD group. A significant decrease in faecal F. nucleatum levels was observed in patients who underwent successful treatment but not in those whose treatment failed. Salivary F. nucleatum levels were not altered in patients despite periodontal treatment. Thus, successful periodontitis treatment reduces stool F. nucleatum levels and may aid research on periodontitis and suppression of colorectal cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrates, which are widely used lipidaemic-modulating drugs, are emerging environmental pollutants. However, fibrate concentrations in the environment have not been thoroughly surveyed. Here, we determined concentrations of the most commonly used fibrates and their metabolites in source water and drinking water samples from ten drinking water treatment plants in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China, using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All the target compounds were detected in at least some of the source water samples, at concentrations ranging from 0.04 ng/L (fenofibrate) to 1.53 ng/L (gemfibrozil). All the compounds except fenofibrate were also detected in at least some of the drinking water samples, at recoveries ranging from 35.5% to 91.7%, suggesting that these compounds are poorly removed by typical drinking water treatment processes. In a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonistic activity assay, the target compounds showed no significant activity at nanogram per litre concentrations; therefore, our results suggest that the fibrate concentrations in drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China do not significantly affect human health. However, because of the increasing westernization of the Chinese diet, fibrate use may increase, and thus monitoring fibrate concentrations in aquatic environments and drinking water in China will become increasingly important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]