Probiotic consumption can modify the resilience of periodontal tissues in rats under experimental periodontitis

Probiotics enhance alveolar bone microarchitecture, intestinal morphology and estradiol levels in osteoporotic animals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Osteoporosis is associated with bone microarchitecture alterations, and the depletion of estrogen during menopause is a major contributing factor to its development. The literature highlights the noteworthy role of gut microbiota in bone metabolism, particularly in the progression of osteoporosis. Periodontal disease leads to alveolar bone loss, which may be influenced by estrogen deficiency, and this mechanism is intricately associated with an imbalance in systemic microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (B. lactis HN019) and Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 (L. casei 01) administrations on an osteoporosis animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-three female rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C-OVX), C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01. All animals were ovariectomized. In groups C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01, the probiotics were administered for 4 months. All animals were euthanized after 16 weeks from ovariectomy. Microtomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were conducted on periodontal tissues, whereas histomorphometry, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out on the intestine. The levels of estradiol were assessed in blood using an immunoenzymatic assay. The data were subjected to statistical analyses (p < .05).

RESULTS

The C-OVX-LC01 group exhibited a significant reduction in alveolar bone porosity and an increase in connective tissue density compared to C-OVX (p < .05). The C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 groups presented reduced expression of TRAP and RANKL compared to the C-OVX (p < .05). The C-OVX group presented villi defects, mild neutrophil infiltration, decrease in both villous height and intestinal crypts and reduced expression of intestinal junctional epithelium markers e-cadherin and claudin 01 compared to C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 (p < .05). The C-OVX group had lower estradiol levels than C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

The probiotic therapy promoted a reduction in alveolar bone destruction and intestinal permeability as well as an increase in estradiol levels in ovariectomized rats. Specifically, the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 exhibited greater effectiveness compared to Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019, indicating strain-dependent outcomes.

Adjuvant effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats undergoing chemotherapy

Surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, individually or in association, are current oncological treatments. Among the most used chemotherapy drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) is an antimetabolite with a broad spectrum of action. This study evaluated the effects of probiotics (PRO) as an adjuvant to the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats immunosuppressed with 5FU.108 rats were randomly allocated to six different groups: EP; SS - systemic treatment with saline solution (SS); 5FU - systemic treatment with 5FU; 5FU+PRO - systemic treatment with 5FU, followed by the local administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; 5FU+SRP - systemic treatment with 5-FU, followed by scaling and root planing (SRP); and 5FU+SRP+PRO - systemic treatment with 5FU followed by local treatments with SRP and PRO. Immunosuppression was obtained at two points: at the time of ligature installation and after 48 h. Six animals from each group were euthanized at seven, 15, and 30 d and hemimandibles were collected and processed for histopathological, histometric, and immunohistochemical analysis. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (α=5%). At 7 d, the 5FU+PRO group showed less bone resorption and better structured connective tissue compared with the EP, SS, 5FU+SRP, and 5FU+SRP+PRO groups. At 15 d, the 5FU+SRP group showed a greater intensity of the inflammatory response (p<0.05). At 30 d, the 5FU+SRP+PRO group showed better structured bone tissue and a higher percentage of bone tissue (PBT) than the EP, SS, 5FU, and 5FU+PRO groups (p<0.05). The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as monotherapy or as an adjuvant to periodontal therapy may have a positive effect on bone repair in immunosuppressed conditions.

Effects of probiotics in rats with experimental metabolic syndrome and periodontitis: An investigation of the intestine-adipose tissue axis

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the systemic (intestine and adipose tissue) and local (periodontal tissues) impact of probiotic therapy in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS) associated or not with periodontitis (PE).

METHODS

Forty-eight rats received a high-fat diet for induction of MS for 16 weeks. They were subdivided into groups with (+) and without (-) PE, receiving (*) or not (**) receiving probiotics (PROB): MS (-**), MSP (-*), MSPE (+**), and MSPEP (+*). PROB administration (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019) started on the 8th week of the study and PE was induced on the 14th week by placing ligature on the animals' lower first molars. Euthanasia occurred in the 16th week. Biomolecular, immunoenzymatic assays, and histomorphometric analyses were performed. The data obtained were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey, p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The MSPEP group exhibited reduced alveolar bone loss when compared with the MSPE group, as well as lower levels of hepatic steatosis and proteinuria (p < 0.05). In the intestinal environment, the MSPE group exhibited significantly lower villus height and crypt depth, as well as a greater increase in Bacillota when compared with the MSPEP group (p < 0.05). The MSPEP group showed lower adipokine gene expression (LEPR, NAMPT, and FABP4) in adipose tissue than the MSPE group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The probiotic B. lactis HN019 reduced the severity of experimental periodontitis and modulated the expression of lipogenic genes and intestinal morphological and microbiological parameters in rats with MS.

Use of the Probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 in Oral Diseases

The oral cavity is one of the environments on the human body with the highest concentrations of microorganisms that coexist harmoniously and maintain homeostasis related to oral health. Several local factors can shift the microbiome to a pathogenic state of dysbiosis. Existing treatments for infections caused by changes in the oral cavity aim to control biofilm dysbiosis and restore microbial balance. Studies have used probiotics as treatments for oral diseases, due to their ability to reduce the pathogenicity of the microbiota and immunoinflammatory changes. This review investigates the role of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 in oral health, and its mechanism of action in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This probiotic strain is a lactic acid bacterium that is safe for human consumption. It mediates bacterial co-aggregation with pathogens and modulates the immune response. Studies using B. lactis HN019 in periodontitis and peri-implant mucositis have shown it to be a potential adjuvant treatment with beneficial microbiological and immunological effects. Studies evaluating its oral effects and mechanism of action show that this probiotic strain has the potential to be used in several dental applications because of its benefit to the host.