IADR Abstract Archives
Lactobacillus-reuteri reduces biofilm dysbiosis and periodontal inflammation; pilot clinical evidence
Objectives: Patients with fixed orthodontics appliances are at risk of developing periodontal disease due to the plaque biofilm-trapping effect of orthodontic bands and brackets, leading to increased accumulation of periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. The aim of this pilot clinical study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic consumption on pathogenic gene expression of P. gingivalis in dental plaque biofilm and associated host inflammatory response.
Methods: Twenty subjects aged 18-24 years who had an orthodontic appliance for at least 12-months consumed probiotic lozenge containing 2x108 colony forming units of two L. reuteri strains, DSM17938 and ATCC PTA 5289, daily for 2 weeks. Dental plaque samples and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from the subjects before and after the probiotic treatment. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to analyse the virulence gene uspA, hagB, fimA, and mfa1 expression of P. gingivalis and expression of host inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, MMP-9, and TNF-α, respectively.
Results: Daily consumption of probiotic L. reuteri for two weeks resulted in improved oral health in the subjects as evidenced by significant improvements in the OHI-s and PBI index. Moreover, the study demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of all four virulence genes in P. gingivalis (uspA,hagB, fimA, mfaA) after probiotic treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of all four inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MMP-9) in GCF samples (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that L. reuteri probiotics may improve the healing process and prevent periodontal disease in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances the dysbiotic changes in dental plaque biofilm in terms of gene expression and host inflammatory response. Further studies are needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of L. reuteri probiotics on periodontal health.
Methods: Twenty subjects aged 18-24 years who had an orthodontic appliance for at least 12-months consumed probiotic lozenge containing 2x108 colony forming units of two L. reuteri strains, DSM17938 and ATCC PTA 5289, daily for 2 weeks. Dental plaque samples and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from the subjects before and after the probiotic treatment. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to analyse the virulence gene uspA, hagB, fimA, and mfa1 expression of P. gingivalis and expression of host inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, MMP-9, and TNF-α, respectively.
Results: Daily consumption of probiotic L. reuteri for two weeks resulted in improved oral health in the subjects as evidenced by significant improvements in the OHI-s and PBI index. Moreover, the study demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of all four virulence genes in P. gingivalis (uspA,hagB, fimA, mfaA) after probiotic treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of all four inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MMP-9) in GCF samples (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that L. reuteri probiotics may improve the healing process and prevent periodontal disease in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances the dysbiotic changes in dental plaque biofilm in terms of gene expression and host inflammatory response. Further studies are needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of L. reuteri probiotics on periodontal health.