Periodontal disease
Education on Periodontal disease and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin research from the Mark Egly Foundation, with patent claims clearly labeled as hypothesis.
Research hypothesis, not medical advice
The connections described on this page come from Mark Egly's patent filing and ongoing research. They are not established medical facts. Always work with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Research hypothesis. The connection between Periodontal disease and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is described in Mark Egly's 2020 patent filing. This is not established medical fact and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor about your own health.
What is Periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a health condition discussed in Mark Egly's research on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. This condition is discussed in Mark Egly's patent filing.
What Mark Egly's patent discusses
Excessive neutrophil levels play a role in gum disease and other dental diseases. As stated by Scott and Krauss, "neutrophils are considered the key protective cell type in periodontal tissues. Histopathology of periodontal lesions indicates that neutrophils form a 'wall' between the junctional epithelium and the pathogen-rich dental plaque which functions as a robust anti-microbial secretory structure and as a unified phagocytic apparatus. However, neutrophil protection is not without cost and is always considered a two-edged sword in that overactivity of neutrophils can cause tissue damage and prolong the extent and severity of inflammatory periodontal diseases." In addition to linking inflammation due to excessive neutrophils to gingivitis, Scott and Krauss provide a review of the innate and inflammatory functions of neutrophils, describe the importance and utility of neutrophils to the host response and the integrity of the periodontium in health and disease. Excessive neutrophil levels have also been linked to recurrent oral ulcers by Liu et al and to chronic or aggressive periodontitis by Nizam et al. A link between neutrophil extracellular traps ("NETS") and several conditi…
How this may relate to Alpha-1
Mark Egly's patent proposes that when the body has too little working Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, or when neutrophils release too much neutrophil elastase, inflammation and tissue damage may worsen. For Periodontal disease, the patent suggests that testing for AATD or low circulating AAT could help guide care. This is a research hypothesis, not a proven treatment path for everyone with this condition.
What you can do
If you or a family member lives with Periodontal disease, consider learning about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and discussing AAT testing with your healthcare team. The Mark Egly Foundation offers education and community support: