爱思英语编者按：口腔卫生(dental hygiene)和心脏病有什么关系吗？长久以来，人们对此一直表示怀疑，但始终得不到确凿的证据，最近，英国一项研究成果证明，口腔卫生与心血管疾病发病率之间的确存在关联。  

Now a Bristol University dental scientist has discovered that a common bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease can break out into the bloodstream and help blood clots to form.
最近英国布里斯托尔大学科学家经研究发现，一种导致蛀牙和口腔疾病的常见细菌能够侵入血液循环系统，导致血栓形成。

In turn these can cause heart attacks and strokes, which together cause more than 200,000 deaths in Britain every year.
这些细菌进而会引发心脏病和中风，每年英国有超过二十万人死于这两种疾病。

There the bacteria use a protein on their surface, called PadA, to force blood platelets to bind together to shelter them.
这些细菌表层有种名叫PadA的蛋白质，能够促使血小板凝结在一起，从而为这些细菌提供保护。

Describing the mechanism, he said: "When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection.
谈到这一过程，詹金森描述道：“血小板凝固的同时也将这种细菌包裹起来，这样不仅是免疫系统，就连治疗这类感染的抗生素都不起作用。”

"In addition, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain."
“此外，血小板凝固不但会在心瓣上形成微小血栓，致使栓体不断增长；还会引起血管发炎，从而导致血液无法输送到心脏和大脑。”

"People need to be aware that as well keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems," said the scientist.
他还提到：“要降低患心脏疾病的可能性，除了控制饮食、血压、胆固醇以及运动强度之外，还应该保持良好的口腔卫生。”

But the research should also speed up the development of drugs which could prevent potentially deadly blood clots from forming in the first place.
但是，要首先遏制这种有潜在致命风险血栓的形成，还应加快治疗药物的研发。

Prof Jenkinson described the discovery of the key protein as a "new tool" on which to test drugs which might stop it from clotting blood.
詹金森教授将PadA蛋白质这一重要发现比作试验抗血凝药品的“新工具”。

He is working with his colleagues to see how the protein`s platelet-causing function can be blocked.
他和同事们正竭尽全力，寻求良方，阻止该蛋白质凝结血小板的功能。

"This could eventually lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease which is the biggest killer in the developed world," said Prof Jenkinson.
詹金森补充说：“这一研究成果将最终为治疗号称“发达国家头号杀手”的心血管疾病提供全新的方法。”

相关词汇 更多信息请访问：http://www.engbus.cn/

bind 粘合，凝结
 
blood clot 血栓
 
blood platelet 血小板
 
clump 凝聚成团
 
inflammation 发炎
 
mechanism 过程
 
protein 蛋白质
 
stroke 中风
 
tooth decay 蛀牙