MSc Oral Biology graduate student Umar Rekhi's research into understanding the link between gum disease and heart disease has landed him a very prestigious award.
Rekhi is the recipient of the Motyl Graduate Studentship in Cardiac Sciences and will receive $20,000 per annum for up to 24 months. This scholarship is awarded to students conducting research in the area of cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors.
"This is a big achievement for me," says Rekhi, who is in his second year of his master's program. Under the supervision of dentistry professor Maria Febbraio, his project titled, Impact of a CD36 Inhibitor on Porphyromonas gingivalis Mediated Atherosclerosis, shows that gum disease is a contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries or cardiovascular disease. "You cannot deny the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. We're looking at does your oral health also affect the health of your heart and the indicators appear to suggest it does."
Therefore, Rekhi says, he's looking at using a specific inhibitor of CD36, a receptor involved in inflammation, to lower the contributing effect of periodontal disease in patients with atherosclerosis.
"Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of mortality in the world," says Rekhi. "This study may support the use of inhibitors of CD36 in the prevention of periodontal disease associated atherosclerosis, as well as other inflammation-inducing risk factors."