title: [Effect of beryllium on the morphology and chemical elements of cell membrane of Porphyromonas gingivalis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of beryllium (Be²⁺) on the morphology and chemical elements on cell membrane of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), thus to explore the microbiologic mechanisms of periodontal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  P. gingivalis was put into the culture with different Be²⁺ concentrations and anaerobically cultured for 24 hours. The morphologic change of P. gingivalis was observed under microscope and scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and chemical elements of cell membrane were observed by X-ray energy dispersion spectrum (EDS). The data was statistically analyzed with SPSS13.0 software package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The morphology of P.gingivalis altered obviously at the concentration greater than 2.5 mg/L, which was manifested by the sharpness of border and depression on the surface. With the increased concentration of beryllium, the Na and Ca peak descended on the surface of P. gingivalis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beryllium can interfere with the morphology of P. gingivalis, and lead to the changes of chemical elements on cell membrane of P. gingivalis, which may result in a disturbance in the microecologic balance of subgingival microbes and eventually contribute to periodontal diseases.
authors.affiliation: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine. Hangzhou 310052, Zhejiang Province;China.E-mail:weihongli1976@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei-hong
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Qing-yan
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin-ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D001608:Beryllium / Q000633:toxicity*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D010510:Periodontal Diseases; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001608:Beryllium