Preventive and therapeutic potential of Streptococcus cristatus CA119 in experimental periodontitis in rats

Abstract

Abstract Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the overgrowth of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum in the oral cavity. This not only severely affects alveolar bone and connective tissues but also has potential associations with distal intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of Streptococcus cristatus CA119 on experimental periodontitis in rats and its impact on intestinal morphology. The results demonstrate that CA119 can colonize the oral cavity and exerts antagonistic effects on P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, leading to a significant reduction in the oral pathogen load. Following CA119 intervention, a significant alleviation in weight loss in rats induced by periodontitis was observed (P < 0.001). CA119 also regulated the expression of IL-6 (P < 0.05), IL-1β (P < 0.001), IL-18 (P < 0.001), COX-2 (P < 0.001), iNOS (P < 0.001), and MCP-1 (P < 0.01) in the gingival tissue. Additionally, CA119 reduced oxidative stress levels in rats and enhanced their antioxidant capacity. Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analysis revealed that CA119 significantly reduced alveolar bone loss and reversed the down-regulation of OPG/RANK (P < 0.001). Furthermore, CA119 exhibits a significant protective effect against intestinal inflammation induced by periodontal disease and improves the colonic morphology in rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the role of CA119, a potential oral probiotic, in preventing and treating experimental periodontitis, which underscores the potential of probiotics as a complementary approach to traditional periodontal care.