Comparison of inflammation in the tongue with inflammation of the aorta and coronary arteries: an autopsy study of the histologic features and immunohistochemical markers.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arteries responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to associate the histopathologic and immunohistochemical aspects of tongue inflammation with aortic and coronary atherosclerosis in autopsied humans. A total of 4378 autopsy reports were analyzed, and cases were included in the study if fragments of the individual's tongue, aorta, and coronary artery were available for analysis (N = 16). Morphologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed for interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon γ (IFN-γ). Findings of IL-1α in the aorta were associated with the following parameters evaluated in the tongue: IL-6 (P = 0.031), inflammation in the submucosa (P = 0.042), and spongiosis (P = 0.018). Findings of IL-6 in the tongue were associated with IL-1α (P = 0.031), IL-6 (P = 0.016), and TNF-α (P = 0.016) in the aorta. Tongue exocytosis was associated with IL-6 (P = 0.003) and IFN-γ (P = 0.003) in the aorta. Inflammation in the submucosa, spongiosis, and higher immunostaining by IL-6 on the tongue are associated with higher immunostaining by IL-1α in the aorta. In addition, increased intensity in the presence of IL-6 in the tongue is also associated with increases in IL-6 and TNF-α in the aorta. Because these cytokines contribute to the process of atherosclerosis, and infectious agents are a major cause of inflammation in the tongue, it seems likely that proper prevention and treatment of lingual infections could reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. However, further studies are needed to corroborate these findings.