Abstract
BackgroundTo evaluate the effects of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius on caries risk factors.MethodsThe study was performed in 64 healthy volunteers to evaluate the effects of L. salivarius-containing tablets on caries risk factors. The participants were divided randomly into four groups, and took tablets containing L. salivarius WB21, L. salivarius TI 2711, Ovalgen® DC (antibody against glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans), or xylitol. Levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, amount of salivary flow, salivary pH, and salivary buffering capacity were assessed before and after taking the tablets. Subsequently, a short-term administration trial using L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets was performed in eight healthy volunteers. The participants took L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets (2.0 × 109 colony forming units/day) for 2 weeks, and the numbers of mutans streptococci in saliva were counted.ResultsThe levels of mutans streptococci seemed to decrease in the L. salivarius WB21, TI 2711, and Ovalgen® DC groups compared to the xylitol group, with no significant differences between the groups. Lactobacilli levels significantly increased in the L. salivarius WB21 and TI 2711 groups compared to the other groups. Concerning salivary flow and salivary pH, no significant differences were observed between the groups. The salivary buffering capacity significantly increased in the L. salivarius TI 2711 group (P = 0.003) and Ovalgen® DC group (P = 0.002) compared to the xylitol group. The short-term administration trial showed that the L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets significantly decreased the number of mutans streptococci (P = 0.039).ConclusionL. salivarius-containing tablets were suggested to increase resistance to caries risk factors.Trial registrationUMIN000013160 (registration date: February 14, 2014).
Highlights
To evaluate the effects of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius on caries risk factors
Short-term administration of L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets was performed in eight healthy volunteers, all of whom were dentists working at Fukuoka Dental College Medical and Dental Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
The levels of mutans streptococci seemed to decrease in the L. salivarius WB21, TI 2711, and Ovalgen® DC groups [median 0.0 (IQR −0.1 to 0.0), 0.0 (0.0 to 1.3), and 0.0 (−1.0 to 1.0), respectively] compared to the xylitol group [0.0 (0.0 to 2.0)]
Summary
To evaluate the effects of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius on caries risk factors. Beneficial microorganisms, or probiotics, have various functions including antibacterial activities [1], modulation of the host immune response [2], antiallergic effects [3], and cancer prevention in the human intestine [4]. A number of studies using lactic acid bacteria for the prevention of oral diseases have been reported [5,6,7,8,9,10]. Probiotic bacteria in the human oral cavity include Bifidobacterium species and Lactobacillus species [11]. Oral administration of Lactobacillus salivarius WB21containing tablets and oil reduced plaque accumulation, Lactobacillus species are microbial markers of dental caries risk [14]. Several Lactobacillus species have been isolated from healthy mouths [17,18]
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