Effects of stress hormones on the production of volatile sulfur compounds by periodontopathogenic bacteria.

Caroline Morini Calil,Fernanda Klein Marcondes,Gisele Mattos Oliveira,Antonio Carlos Pereira,Francisco Carlos Groppo,Karina Cogo

doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2014.vol28.0008

Caroline Morini Calil, Fernanda Klein Marcondes + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2014.vol28.0008

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Abstract

Little is known about the effects of stress hormones on the etiologic agents of halitosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of adrenaline (ADR), noradrenaline (NA) and cortisol (CORT) on bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), the major gases responsible for bad breath. Cultures of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas endodontalis (Pe), Prevotella intermedia (Pi) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) were exposed to 50 µM ADR, NA and CORT or equivalent volumes of sterile water as controls for 12 and 24 h. Growth was evaluated based on absorbance at 660 nm. Portable gas chromatography was used to measure VSC concentrations. Kruskal-Wallis and the Dunn post-hoc test were used to compare the groups. For Fn, ADR, NA and CORT significantly reduced bacterial growth after 12 h and 24 h (p<0.05). All the substances tested increased hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production (p<0.05). For Pe, all the substances tested reduced bacterial development after 24 h (p<0.05), and NA significantly increased the H2S concentration after 12 h (p<0.05). In the Pg and Pi cultures, no effects on bacterial growth were observed (p>0.05). In the Pi cultures, ADR, NA and CORT increased H2S (p<0.05). Catecholamines and cortisol can interfere with growth and H2S production of sub-gingival species in vitro. This process appears to be complex and supports the association between stress and the production of VSC.

Highlights

Halitosis, known as bad breath or malodor, is a term used to describe unpleasant, fetid odors present in air exhaled from the mouth.[1]
The median values and interquartile deviations of H2S and CH3SH concentrations for Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas endodontalis (Pe), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) cultures exposed for 12 and 24 h to ADR, NA and CORT are presented in Figures 3 and 4, respectively
In Fn, only CORT caused a significant increase in H2S levels at 12 h (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05), while no changes in H2S concentration were observed at 24 h

Summary

Introduction

Known as bad breath or malodor, is a term used to describe unpleasant, fetid odors present in air exhaled from the mouth.[1]. Studies have indicated that in the majority of cases, malodor is associated with the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cysteine and cystine) by anaerobic gram-negative bacteria present in the oral cavity, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas endodontalis.[2,3] Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulfide [(CH3)2S], are generated as a product of this metabolism.[3]. Some patients with halitosis do not present clinical evidence of oral pathologies or systemic disorders. Depression and anxiety have been identified as risk factors for a shift in oral homeostasis.[4,5] It has been proposed that emotional alterations may be a co-factor in halitosis development. Calil and Marcondes[6] reported increased VSC concentrations in healthy men faced with an anxiety-evoking situation compared with the basal situation, independent of salivary flow

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