Localized probiotic-guided pocket recolonization in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Microbiome-based therapies for periodontitis and peri-implantitis

OBJECTIVES

Periodontitis and peri-implantitis are oral infectious-inflammatory diseases associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. Microbiome-based therapies, characterized by manipulation of the microbiota, are emerging as promising therapeutic approaches to resolve the microbial dysbiosis and associated dysregulation of immune system. This review aims at summarizing recent progress on microbiome-based therapies in periodontitis and peri-implantitis, promoting a further understanding of the related therapeutic mechanisms.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Pertinent literatures focused on microbiome-based therapies for periodontitis and peri-implantitis are obtained from PubMed and Web of Science.

RESULTS

In this article, we review the roles and therapeutic mechanisms of four microbiome-based therapies, including probiotics, postbiotics, predatory bacteria and phages, and microbiota transplantation, in the management of periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Challenges facing this field are also discussed, highlighting the areas that require more attention and investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

Microbiome-based therapies may serve as effective treatment for periodontitis and peri-implantitis. This review presents a new viewpoint to this field.

Lactobacillus fermentum attenuates the alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in mice

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum BELF11 on periodontitis in mice (LIP).

METHODS

Sixty mice were randomly assigned to a control group (CTL), LIP/PBS group (LIP and PBS applied), or LIP/BELF11 group (LIP and L. fermentum BELF11 applied). For 14 days, PBS or L. fermentum BELF11 was applied twice daily to the mice in the LIP/PBS or LIP/BELF11 group, respectively. After 14 days, radiographic, histological, and pro-inflammatory cytokine assessments were conducted.

RESULTS

The LIP/PBS and LIP/BELF11 groups demonstrated greater alveolar bone loss than the CTL group (p < 0.05). The LIP/BELF11 group showed significantly reduced alveolar bone loss on the mesial side compared to the LIP/PBS group. Histologically, the LIP/BELF11 group showed consistent patterns of connective tissue fiber arrangement, lower levels of inflammatory infiltration, less alveolar bone loss, and higher alveolar bone density than the LIP/PBS group, despite showing more signs of destruction than the CTL group. The LIP/BELF11 group also exhibited significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than the LIP/PBS group.

CONCLUSIONS

L. fermentum BELF11 inhibits alveolar bone loss and periodontitis progression by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These findings suggest that L. fermentum BELF11 may be a potential adjunctive therapy in periodontal treatment.

Investigating the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. on cariogenic and periodontitis pathogens

Background

The use of probiotics is emerging as an innovative approach to managing oral health issues and mediating the immune system. The current study assessed the in vitro impacts of non-orally isolated probiotics on periodontitis and tooth decay pathogens.

Methods

Briefly, the persistence of probiotics in exposure to oral cavity enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, and saliva samples was examined. It was also investigated the biofilm formation and aggregation ability of probiotics, the adherence of probiotics in human gingival fibroblast cell (HGFC) lines and molar teeth samples, and the potential of probiotics to co-aggregate with oral pathogens. Additionally, the current study evaluated the effects of live probiotics on virulence gene expression, biofilm production of main oral pathogens, and changes in inflammation markers.

Results

The probiotics remained alive when exposed to enzymes in the oral cavity, hydrogen peroxide, and saliva at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 h after incubation at 37°C (p-value <0.05). Probiotics demonstrated to produce biofilm and aggregation, as well as adherence to HGFCs and maxillary molars (p-value >0.05). They showed significant co-aggregation with oral pathogens, which were recorded as 65.57% for B. bifidum 1001 with S. mutans, 50.06% for B. bifidum 1005 with P. gingivalis, 35.6% for L. plantarum 156 with F. nucleatum, and 18.7% for B. longum 1044 with A. actinomycetemcomitans after 8 h of incubation. A balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, along with inhibition of biofilm formation and changes in virulence gene transcripts, were observed. However, most of these changes were not statistically significant (p-value >0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the direct link between adhesiveness, aggregation, and biofilm formation with probiotic antibacterial activity. In addition to the careful selection of suitable probiotic strains, the concentration and origin of probiotic isolates should be considered.

Lactobacillus reuteri for chronic periodontitis: focus on underlying mechanisms and future perspectives

Chronic periodontitis is a common oral disorder caused by pathogenic bacteria. Despite the wide use of antibiotics as the conventional adjunctive treatment, the challenges of increased antibiotic resistance and limited therapeutic effect receive considerable attention and the developments of alternative treatments gain increasing consideration. Growing evidence showed that Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) may represent a promising alternative adjunct for chronic periodontitis. It can attenuate inflammation and reduce tissue disruption. LR-assisted treatment has been shown to be effective and relatively safe in multiple clinical trials, and accumulating evidence suggests its significant biological roles. In the current review, we focus on capturing the underlying mechanisms of LR involved in chronic periodontitis, thereby representing a scientific foundation for LR-assisted therapy. Furthermore, we point out the challenges and future directions for further clinical trials to improve the clinical applicability for LR.

The Use of Probiotics as Adjuvant Therapy of Periodontal Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

For many years, the use of probiotics in periodontitis treatment was reflected in their abilities to control the immune response of the host to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and to upset periodontopathogens. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to assess the use of probiotics as adjuvant therapy on clinical periodontal parameters throughout a systematic review and meta-analysis. The literature was screened, up to 4 June 2021, by two independent reviewers (L.H. and R.B.) in four electronic databases: PubMed (MedLine), ISI Web of Science, Scielo, and Scopus. Only clinical trials that report the effect of the use of probiotics as adjuvants in the treatment of periodontal disease were included. Comparisons were carried out using Review Manager Software version 5.3.5 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). A total of 21 studies were considered for the meta-analysis. For the index plaque, the use of probiotics did not improve this clinical parameter (p = 0.16). On the other hand, for the periodontal pocket depth, the clinical attachment loss, the bleeding on probing, and the use of probiotics as adjuvant therapy resulted in an improvement of these parameters, since the control group achieved statistically higher values of this parameter (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; and p = 0.005, respectively). This study suggests that the use of probiotics led to an improvement in periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing parameters. On the other hand, this protocol seems to not be beneficial for the index plaque parameter.