Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Prevent Bone Loss in Periodontitis Mouse Model

Objectives: Evidence suggests that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is strongly associated with periodontal disease. This pathogen secretes Autoinducer-2, a quorum sensing molecule that affects various phenotypes including virulence and dental biofilm formation. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSI) in modulating alveolar bone loss in P. gingivalis-induced experimental periodontitis.
Methods: BALB/c mice (n=15 each group) were orally infected 6 times at 2-day intervals with P. gingivalis in presence or absence of furanone compounds and D-ribose (QSI). An additional oral gavage was performed 38 days after the first inoculation. 4 days later, animals were sacrificed and alveolar bone loss was quantified using microscopic computerized tomography. Quantitative-real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR) was used to confirm the bacterial colonization in infection groups.
Results: Mono-infection with P. gingivalis induced more alveolar bone loss compared with sham infection group (p=0.016). When QSI were added to the oral infection inoculum, less bone loss was observed in comparison to P. gingivalis infection group (p=0.02). qRT PCR showed a reduced amount of P. gingivalis (31.64%) in QSI group compared with the P. gingivalis infection group.
Conclusions: QSI inhibited in vivo bone destruction and bacterial colonization by P. gingivalis. QSI may hold potential protective and/or preventive modalities in periodontal disease.