Martinez-Herrera M, et al. - Researchers assessed the relationship between oxidative stress parameters in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and PMN-endothelial cell interactions in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP; n=182) according to different degrees of severity of the disease. They found that PMNs from patients with CP in a systemic proinflammatory environment exhibit hyperactivity and produce higher amounts of superoxide. Moreover, in patients with CP, the presence of alterations of PMN-endothelium interactions that can lead to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications were suggested by an increase in PMNs rolling flux and cell adhesion to the endothelium.