Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis HN019 presents antimicrobial potential against periodontopathogens and modulates the immunological response of oral mucosa in periodontitis patients

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 22;15(9):e0238425. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238425. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (HN019) on clinical periodontal parameters (plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding), on immunocompetence of gingival tissues [expression of beta-defensin (BD)-3, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), cluster of differentiation(CD)-57 and CD-4], and on immunological properties of saliva (IgA levels) in non-surgical periodontal therapy in generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) patients. Adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and the antimicrobial properties of HN019 were also investigated.

Materials and methods: Thirty patients were recruited and monitored clinically at baseline (before scaling and root planing-SRP) and after 30 and 90 days. Patients were randomly assigned to Test (SRP+Probiotic, n = 15) or Control (SRP+Placebo, n = 15) group. Probiotic lozenges were used for 30 days. Gingival tissues and saliva were immunologically analyzed. The adhesion of HN019 with or without Porphyromonas gingivalis in BEC and its antimicrobial properties were investigated in in vitro assays. Data were statistically analyzed (p<0.05).

Results: Test group presented lower plaque index (30 days) and lower marginal gingival bleeding (90 days) when compared with Control group. Higher BD-3, TLR4 and CD-4 expressions were observed in gingival tissues in Test group than in Control group. HN019 reduced the adhesion of P. gingivalis to BEC and showed antimicrobial potential against periodontopathogens.

Conclusion: Immunological and antimicrobial properties of B. lactis HN019 make it a potential probiotic to be used in non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with GCP.

Clinical relevance: B. lactis HN019 may be a potential probiotic to improve the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Name of the registry and registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): "Effects of probiotic therapy in the treatment of periodontitis"-NCT03408548.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacterial Adhesion / immunology
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / immunology
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / therapy
  • Bifidobacterium animalis / immunology*
  • Chronic Periodontitis / immunology
  • Chronic Periodontitis / microbiology
  • Chronic Periodontitis / therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Host Microbial Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Mucosa / immunology
  • Mouth Mucosa / microbiology
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / pathogenicity
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Saliva / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03408548

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq – process #480982/2013-9) awarded to Michel R. Messora. E.I DuPont de Nemours & Co. Danisco Sweeteners Oy (Kantvik, Finland) donated the probiotics. Arthur C. Ouwehand is employee of DuPont de Nemours & Co. Danisco Sweeteners Oy. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. DuPont de Nemours & Co. Danisco Sweeteners Oy did not play a role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.