Effectiveness of Probiotic Lozenges in Periodontal Management of Chronic Periodontitis Patients: Clinical and Immunological Study

Limosilactobacillus reuteri as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Peri-implant Mucositis in Total Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Study

OBJECTIVES

 Mechanical debridement is the traditional method for the treatment of peri-implant mucositis (P-im) and its success depends on the patient's correct oral hygiene. It is believed that probiotics may help by their ability to modulate the oral biofilm, resulting in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial plaque action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adjuvant effect of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) in the mechanical treatment of P-im.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 This exploratory study included 29 subjects with implant-supported total rehabilitation and P-im, divided into test (TG) and control (CG) groups, equally subjected to professional mechanical debridement, with the administration of a daily GUM PerioBalance lozenge for 30 days added to the TG. The modified Plaque Index (mPlI) modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mBI) and pocket depth (PD) were evaluated before the intervention (baseline) and 6 and 10 weeks later.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

 Parametric and nonparametric tests with 5% significance level were used in the statistical analysis, using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 software.

RESULTS

 Both treatments resulted in reduced mPlI, mBI, and PD at 6 weeks; while from 6 to 10 weeks there was an increase in mPlI and mBI and maintenance of PD. Compared with baseline, differences were close to statistical significance in the reduction in PD at 10 weeks in the CG (p = 0.018), after Bonferroni correction, and statistically significant in the mPlI at 6 weeks in the CG (p = 0.004) and in the TG (p = 0.002) as well as at 10 weeks in the TG (p = 0.016). Comparing the groups in the postintervention assessments, no statistically significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

 LR adjuvant mechanical treatment of P-im does not show a clear benefit compared with mechanical treatment alone, with both interventions achieving similar clinical results. Further prospective and long-term studies are needed.

Accounting for the health risk of probiotics

Probiotics have long been associated with a myriad of health benefits, so much so that their adverse effects whether mild or severe, are often neglected or overshadowed by the enormous volume of articles describing their beneficial effects in the current literature. Recent evidence has demonstrated several health risks of probiotics that warrant serious reconsideration of their applications and further investigations. This review aims to highlight studies that report on how probiotics might cause opportunistic systemic and local infections, detrimental immunological effects, metabolic disturbance, allergic reactions, and facilitating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. To offer a recent account of the literature, articles within the last five years were prioritized. The narration of these evidence was based on the nature of the studies in the following order of preference: clinical studies or human samples, in vivo or animal models, in situ, in vitro and/or in silico. We hope that this review will inform consumers, food scientists, and medical practitioners, on the health risks, while also encouraging research that will focus on and clarify the adverse effects of probiotics.

Periodontal disease in down syndrome: Predisposing factors and potential non-surgical therapeutic approaches

BACKGROUND

Periodontal diseases (PDs) have been documented to be significantly more prevalent and severe in patients with Down syndrome (DS). Different immunological and microbiological factors contributed to predisposing these patients to progressive and recurrent PDs.

AIM

The aim of this review was to investigate the altered immunological responses and oral microbiota disorders as well as focus on adjunctive non-surgical methods for the treatment of PDs and its applicability in patients with DS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature review was conducted addressing the following topics: (1) the altered immunological responses, (2) orofacial disorders related to DS patients, (3) oral microbiota changing, and (4) adjunctive non-surgical treatment and its efficacy in patients with DS.

RESULTS

Due to the early onset of PDs in children with DS, the need for prompt and effective treatment in these patients is essential.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

So, investigating underlying factors may open a new window to better understand the pathology of PDs in DS people and thus, find better strategies for treatment in such group. Although non-surgical treatments such as photodynamic therapy and probiotic consumption represented acceptable outcomes in different examined patients without DS, data about the application of these convenience and no need for local anesthesia methods in patients with DS is limited.

Clinical, microbiological and immunological short, medium and long-term effects of different strains of probiotics as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with periodontitis. Systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction/objectives

Probiotics have been proposed as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), however, the effect of their use remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the evidence regarding the use of probiotics as an adjunct to NSPT in patients with periodontitis at a clinical, microbiological and immunological level.

Data/sources

A comprehensive search to identify clinical studies investigating the use of probiotics as an adjunct to NSPT in patients treated for periodontitis was performed. The data were grouped according to probiotic strain, frequency, form and duration of the probiotic intake.

Study selection

A total of 25 articles were included, all articles analysed clinical parameters, 10 included also microbiological findings and only 4 had immunological findings. The difference in probing depth (PD) between the test and the control group was statistically significant in favour of the test group when the probiotics were in the form of lozenges, administered twice a day and when the strain was L. reuteri. In terms of Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) gain the difference was statistically significant in the short and in the medium term but not in the long term. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, it was not possible to compare trough a meta analysis the immunological and the microbiological findings that were therefore analysed only descriptively.

Conclusions

The use of probiotics as an adjunct to NSPT in patients with periodontitis appears to provide additional clinical benefits that depend on the duration, the frequency, the form and the strain of probiotic used.

Clinical significance

This review not only shows data on the efficacy of probiotics in non-surgical periodontal therapy, but provides important information on their effects over time and which forms of probiotic administration might be most clinically useful.

Overview of oral health status and associated risk factors in maritime settings: An updated systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to provide an updated overview of the oral health status and associated risk factors in maritime settings.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and SCOPUS from January 2010 to April 2023. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The quality of included studies was assessed using relevant assessment tools.

RESULTS

A total of 260 records were found in the initial search; 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies had descriptive design, and only two randomized controlled trials were found. The main oral health issues noted are oral cancer, dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions, and dental emergency. Male seafarers have higher risk of oral cancers in the tongue, lips, and oral cavity while oral mucosal lesions are more prevalent among fishermen.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental caries and periodontal diseases are prevalent in both seafarers and fishermen. The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, fermentable carbohydrate, and poor oral hygiene are risk factors that affect the oral health status at sea. The occurrence of oral diseases in maritime setting requires more attention of researchers and authorities to develop strategies to tackle these issues.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Systematic review registration number in PROSPERO: CRD42020168692.

Probiotic adjuvant treatment in combination with scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of probiotic supplementation on treating chronic periodontal (CP) disease based on clinical and microbiological findings. Four databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science databases. The references to relevant studies were also manually searched. Analyses were conducted using the Review Manager 5.2 software, while the quality of randomised controlled trials was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. In total, 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results revealed that the adjuvant use of probiotics in the treatment of patients with periodontal disease was largely associated with good clinical efficacy. Resulting in statistically significant improvements in plaque index (P<0.05), periodontal probing depth (P<0.05), clinical attachment level (P<0.05), gingival index (P<0.05), bleeding on probing (P<0.05), deep probing depth (P<0.05), and levels of subgingival microbes (P<0.05) following probiotic supplementation. In summary, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that the administration of probiotics together with scaling and root planing can somewhat improve CP patient clinical outcomes and reduce levels of periodontal pathogens. However, more comprehensive experiments are needed to standardise probiotics and maximise their adjuvant therapy.

Nanofibers with genotyped Bacillus strains exhibiting antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity

Biofilm-associated diseases such as periodontitis are widespread and challenging to treat which calls for new strategies for their effective management. Probiotics represent a promising approach for targeted treatment of dysbiosis in biofilm and modulation of host immune response. In this interdisciplinary study, nanofibers with two autochthonous Bacillus strains 27.3.Z and 25.2.M were developed. The strains were isolated from the oral microbiota of healthy individuals, and their genomes were sequenced and screened for genes associated with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, virulence factors, and transferability of resistance to antibiotics. Spores of two Bacillus strains were incorporated individually or in combination into hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and composite PEO/alginate nanofibers. The nanofiber mats were characterised by a high loading of viable spores (> 7 log CFU/mg) and they maintained viability during electrospinning and 6 months of storage at room temperature. Spores were rapidly released from PEO nanofibers, while presence of alginate in the nanofibers prolonged their release. All formulations exhibited swelling, followed by transformation of the nanofiber mat into a hydrogel and polymer erosion mediating spore release kinetics. The investigated Bacillus strains released metabolites, which were not cytotoxic to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. Moreover, their metabolites exhibited antibacterial activity against two periodontopathogens, an antiproliferative effect on PBMCs, and inhibition of PBMC expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In summary, the developed nanofiber-based delivery system represents a promising therapeutic approach to combat biofilm-associated disease on two fronts, namely via modulation of the local microbiota with probiotic bacteria and host immune response with their metabolites.

The Emerging Role of MMP12 in the Oral Environment

Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12), or macrophage metalloelastase, plays important roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) component degradation. Recent reports show MMP12 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. To date, this review represents the latest comprehensive overview of MMP12 in various oral diseases, such as periodontitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Furthermore, the current knowledge regarding the distribution of MMP12 in different tissues is also illustrated in this review. Studies have implicated the association of MMP12 expression with the pathogenesis of several representative oral diseases, including periodontitis, TMD, OSCC, OTM, and bone remodelling. Although there may be a potential role of MMP12 in oral diseases, the exact pathophysiological role of MMP12 remains to be elucidated. Understanding the cellular and molecular biology of MMP12 is essential, as MMP12 could be a potential target for developing therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory and immunologically related oral diseases.

Both live and heat-killed Bifidobacterium animalis J-12 alleviated oral ulcers in LVG golden Syrian hamsters by gavage by directly intervening in the intestinal flora structure

Live and heat-killed Bifidobacterium has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of live and heat-killed Bifidobacterium animalis J-12 (J-12) on the oral ulceration of LVG golden Syrian hamsters after buccal membrane injection with methyl viologen dichloride. Results showed that interleukin-1β, glutathione, and malondialdehyde in serum were downregulated by the gavage of live and heat-killed J-12 bacteria. The J-12 live and heat-killed bacteria can reduce the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 by reducing the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B, thus reducing the expression of anti-inflammatory factors lipoxin A4 and prostaglandin E2. Reducing the expression of caspase-3 and adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase resulted in a reduction of ulcer tissue DNA damage. In addition, regulating the structure of the intestinal flora prevented the process of oral ulcer formation. This study shows that J-12 can reduce the risk of oral ulcer formation while also having a positive effect on inhibiting existing oral ulcer growth.

Personalized Treatment of Periodontitis in a Patient with McArdle's Disease: The Benefits from Probiotics

Introduction

McArdle's disease is a severe glycogen storage disease characterized by intolerance to exercise; patients have a syndrome of muscle intolerance to stress, associated with myalgia, cramps, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial pathology of the supporting tissues of the teeth: one of the main factors is the formation of bacterial biofilm; its control favors the prevention and the maintenance of good health of the oral cavity; and some systemic pathologies can worsen the periodontal disease and hinder its therapy. This case report concerns a woman with McArdle's disease diagnosed with periodontal disease. Material and Methods. A 54-year-old female patient with McArdle's disease has been diagnosed with Stage 3 generalized periodontitis, Grade B. At the baseline, the patient had 82 pockets with probing pocket depth (PPD) equal to or greater than 4 mm. The patient was instructed in the correct methods of oral hygiene and was advised toothpaste and mouthwash based on probiotics; subsequently, a debridement was performed to remove etiological factors using Dental-Biofilm Detection Topographic Technique (D-BioTECH).

Results

After 60 days, the number of pockets was reduced from 82 to 14 overall with PPD ≥ 4 mm and from 50 to 2 pockets with PPD ≥ 5 mm. Full mouth bleeding score (FMBS) increased from 48% to 15% and full mouth plaque score (FMPS) from 73% to 15%.

Conclusions

In this case, the use of a correct brushing method combined with the D-BioTECH has reduced the disease state, with the use of probiotics at home to restore and maintain a healthy oral microbiome.

ProbResist: a database for drug-resistant probiotic bacteria

Drug resistance remains a global threat, and the rising trend of consuming probiotic-containing foods, many of which harbor antibiotic resistant determinants, has raised serious health concerns. Currently, the lack of accessibility to location-, drug- and species-specific information of drug-resistant probiotics has hampered efforts to combat the global spread of drug resistance. Here, we describe the development of ProbResist, which is a manually curated online database that catalogs reports of probiotic bacteria that have been experimentally proven to be resistant to antibiotics. ProbResist allows users to search for information of drug resistance in probiotics by querying with the names of the bacteria, antibiotic or location. Retrieved results are presented in a downloadable table format containing the names of the antibiotic, probiotic species, resistant determinants, region where the study was conducted and digital article identifiers (PubMed Identifier and Digital Object Identifier) hyperlinked to the original sources. The webserver also presents a simple analysis of information stored in the database. Given the increasing reports of drug-resistant probiotics, an exclusive database is necessary to catalog them in one platform. It will enable medical practitioners and experts involved in policy making to access this information quickly and conveniently, thus contributing toward the broader goal of combating drug resistance.

The Clinical, Microbiological, and Immunological Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Periodontal diseases are a global health concern. They are multi-stage, progressive inflammatory diseases triggered by the inflammation of the gums in response to periodontopathogens and may lead to the destruction of tooth-supporting structures, tooth loss, and systemic health problems. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of probiotic supplementation on the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease based on the assessment of clinical, microbiological, and immunological outcomes. (2) Methods: This study was registered under PROSPERO (CRD42021249120). Six databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Dentistry and Oral Science Source. The meta-analysis assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases and reported them using Hedge’s g standardized mean difference (SMD). (3) Results: Of the 1883 articles initially identified, 64 randomized clinical trials were included in this study. The results of this meta-analysis indicated statistically significant improvements after probiotic supplementation in the majority of the clinical outcomes in periodontal disease patients, including the plaque index (SMD = 0.557, 95% CI: 0.228, 0.885), gingival index, SMD = 0.920, 95% CI: 0.426, 1.414), probing pocket depth (SMD = 0.578, 95% CI: 0.365, 0.790), clinical attachment level (SMD = 0.413, 95% CI: 0.262, 0.563), bleeding on probing (SMD = 0.841, 95% CI: 0.479, 1.20), gingival crevicular fluid volume (SMD = 0.568, 95% CI: 0.235, 0.902), reduction in the subgingival periodontopathogen count of P. gingivalis (SMD = 0.402, 95% CI: 0.120, 0.685), F. nucleatum (SMD = 0.392, 95% CI: 0.127, 0.658), and T. forsythia (SMD = 0.341, 95% CI: 0.050, 0.633), and immunological markers MMP-8 (SMD = 0.819, 95% CI: 0.417, 1.221) and IL-6 (SMD = 0.361, 95% CI: 0.079, 0.644). (4) Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that probiotic supplementation improves clinical parameters, and reduces the periodontopathogen load and pro-inflammatory markers in periodontal disease patients. However, we were unable to assess the preventive role of probiotic supplementation due to the paucity of studies. Further clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in the prevention of periodontal diseases.

The Effect of Periodontal Therapy on the Level of MMP-8 in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

OBJECTIVE

 The complete removal of bacterial plaque and their endotoxins in deeper areas of periodontal pockets is often difficult to achieve with conventional methods such as periodontal pocket curettage. An alternative to these methods that recently gained popularity in periodontology is the diode laser, with its antibacterial effect, angiogenesis promotion as advantages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 This study included 100 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, with periodontal pockets up to 6 mm, and who were divided into two groups: patients treated with basic therapy and diode laser application, and patients treated with basic therapy and with flap surgery. The clinical periodontal evaluation was done before the treatment and 6 months after the treatment. Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 as an inflammatory indicator in gingival exudate was done with dipstick immunoassay test before the treatment and 6 months later.

RESULTS

 This study showed a more pronounced improvement of periodontal clinical parameters, as well as a decrease in MMP-8 values in gingival exudate in the laser-treated group compared with the surgically treated group.

CONCLUSION

 The results of this study are encouraging for the use of the diode laser as a noninvasive method in the treatment of periodontal pathologies.

Assessing the drug resistance profiles of oral probiotic lozenges

Background

Probiotic lozenges have been developed to harvest the benefits of probiotics for oral health, but their long-term consumption may encourage the transfer of resistance genes from probiotics to commensals, and eventually to disease-causing bacteria.

Aim

To screen commercial probiotic lozenges for resistance to antibiotics, characterize the resistance determinants, and examine their transferability in vitro.

Results

Probiotics of all lozenges were resistant to glycopeptide, sulfonamide, and penicillin antibiotics, while some were resistant to aminoglycosides and cephalosporins. High minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were detected for streptomycin (>128 µg/mL) and chloramphenicol (> 512 µg/mL) for all probiotics but only one was resistant to piperacillin (MIC = 32 µg/mL). PCR analysis detected erythromycin (erm(T), ermB or mefA) and fluoroquinolone (parC or gyr(A)) resistance genes in some lozenges although there were no resistant phenotypes. The dfrD, cat-TC, vatE, aadE, vanX, and aph(3")-III or ant(2")-I genes conferring resistance to trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, quinupristin/dalfopristin, vancomycin, and streptomycin, respectively, were detected in resistant probiotics. The rifampicin resistance gene rpoB was also present. We found no conjugal transfer of streptomycin resistance genes in our co-incubation experiments.

Conclusion

Our study represents the first antibiotic resistance profiling of probiotics from oral lozenges, thus highlighting the health risk especially in the prevailing threat of drug resistance globally.

Immunomodulation in the Treatment of Periodontitis: Progress and Perspectives

Periodontitis is one of the most common dental diseases. Compared with healthy periodontal tissues, the immune microenvironment plays the key role in periodontitis by allowing the invasion of pathogens. It is possible that modulating the immune microenvironment can supplement traditional treatments and may even promote periodontal regeneration by using stem cells, bacteria, etc. New anti-inflammatory therapies can enhance the generation of a viable local immune microenvironment and promote cell homing and tissue formation, thereby achieving higher levels of immune regulation and tissue repair. We screened recent studies to summarize the advances of the immunomodulatory treatments for periodontitis in the aspects of drug therapy, microbial therapy, stem cell therapy, gene therapy and other therapies. In addition, we included the changes of immune cells and cytokines in the immune microenvironment of periodontitis in the section of drug therapy so as to make it clearer how the treatments took effects accordingly. In the future, more research needs to be done to improve immunotherapy methods and understand the risks and long-term efficacy of these methods in periodontitis.

Probiotics ameliorate alveolar bone loss by regulating gut microbiota

OBJECTIVES

Oestrogen deficiency is an aetiological factor of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), which not only decreases bone density in vertebrae and long bone but also aggravates inflammatory alveolar bone loss. Recent evidence has suggested the critical role of gut microbiota in osteoimmunology and its influence on bone metabolisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of probiotics on alveolar bone loss under oestrogen-deficient condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Inflammatory alveolar bone loss was established in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and rats were daily intragastrically administered with probiotics until sacrifice. Gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, systemic immune status and alveolar bone loss were assessed to reveal the underlying correlation between gut microbiota and bone metabolisms.

RESULTS

We found administration of probiotics significantly prevented inflammatory alveolar bone resorption in OVX rats. By enriching butyrate-producing genera and enhancing gut butyrate production, probiotics improved intestinal barrier and decreased gut permeability in the OVX rats. Furthermore, the oestrogen deprivation-induced inflammatory responses were suppressed in probiotics-treated OVX rats, as reflected by reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and a balanced distribution of CD4+ IL-17A+ Th17 cells and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells in the bone marrow.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that probiotics can effectively attenuate alveolar bone loss by modulating gut microbiota and further regulating osteoimmune response and thus represent a promising adjuvant in the treatment of alveolar bone loss under oestrogen deficiency.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF PROBIOTICS AS AN ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY TO SCALING AND ROOT PLANNING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PERIODONTITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRAILS

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planning treatment (SRP) in the management of periodontitis.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of science, SCOPUS and the Cochrane library were systematically searched to identify eligible studies. Stata 12.0 software was used to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidential interval (CI). The primary outcomes were clinical attachment level (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP).

RESULTS

Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed CAL gain (WMD: 0.20, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.31), PPD reduction (WMD: -0.31, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.10) and BOP reduction (WMD: -2.98, 95% CI -4.70 to -1.26) in the SRP+ probiotics group were significantly improved compared to control group at 3 months follow-up, but no significant difference was observed at 6 months. In addition, the probiotics administration could improve Plaque index (WMD: -0.30, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.05) and Gingival index (WMD: -0.46, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.21) at short term.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the clinical efficacy of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy to SRP in the management of periodontitis at least 3 months follow-up. Within the limits of the evidence, the long-term efficacy needs to further confirm.

The differences in the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels after the topical and systemic administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotics for the treatment of traumatic ulcers in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Background and Aim

The use of drugs as a therapy for traumatic ulcers may lead to drug resistance and other side effects. Lactobacillus casei Shirota can affect the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels in wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the number of fibroblast cells and blood vessels after the topical and systemic administration of L. casei Shirota probiotics in Wistar rats with traumatic ulcer.

Materials and Methods

Overall, 36 healthy male Wistar rats aged 2-3 months old and weighing 175-250 g in body weight were used as a sample. Traumatic ulcer was made on the labial fornix incisive inferior. The subject rats were divided into groups: (1) A control group over 3 days, (2) a group that used distilled water over 7 days, (3) a group that underwent topical treatment over 3 days, (4) a group that used probiotics administered topically over 7 days, (5) a group that underwent systemic treatment over 3 days, and (6) a group that took oral probiotics for the traumatic ulcers over 7 days. The number of fibroblasts and blood vessels was observed through a hematoxylin-eosin examination.

Results

Based on the results of the study, a significant difference was observed in the number of fibroblasts (p=0.00) and blood vessels (p=0.018) in the 3-day topical group that underwent a 3-day systemic administration of probiotics compared with the number of fibroblast cells in the 7-day topical group and 7-day systemic group (p=0.00).

Conclusion

Overall, significant differences were observed in the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels in Wistar rats with traumatic ulcer after undergoing the topical and systemic administration of L. casei Shirota probiotics.

Chemical plaque control - A brief review

Dental plaque is a complex microbial population of bacterial and salivary polymers present on the tooth surface. It is understood that human diseases must be avoided and a high social concern for the population as a whole. The argument for the implementation of successful prevention measures is strong for life-threatening diseases or those with serious morbidity. However, regardless of seriousness, the case for avoiding any disease may be based on the belief that it is easier to be healthy than dead or sick. Thus plaque prevention is an efficient way to both treat and avoid periodontal diseases, it is an important component of gingival and periodontal diseases' primary management.

Dietary supplementation with multi-strain formula of probiotics modulates inflammatory and immunological markers in apical periodontitis

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether probiotics multi-strain formula affects the development of apical periodontitis (AP) induced in rats.

Methodology

16 Wistar rats were divided in two groups (n=8): rats with AP fed with regular diet (Control-C (CG)); rats with AP, fed with regular diet and supplemented with multi-strain formula (one billion colony-forming units (CFU)): GNC Probiotic Complex (PCG) ( Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivaris, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium animalis subs. lactis and Streptococcus thermofilus ). AP was induced in the upper and lower first molars by dental pulp exposure to the oral environment. PCG was administered orally through gavage for 30 days during the AP development. After this period the animals were euthanized and the mandibles were removed and processed for histologic analysis, and immunochemical assays for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1β, RANKL, OPG, and TRAP. The Mann–Whitney U test and Student’s t test were performed (P<.05).

Results

The CG showed more intense inflammatory infiltrate than the PCG group (P<.05). IL-1β, IL 6 and RANKL decreased in the PCG group compared with CG (P<.05). The IL-10 level increased in the PCG group (P<.05). The OPG level was similar in both groups (P>.05). The number of mature osteoclasts (TRAP-positive multinucleated cells) was lower in PCG group when compared to the CG (P<.05).

Conclusion

Probiotic Complex modulates inflammation and bone resorption in apical periodontitis.