Lactic acid bacteria prevent both periodontitis and atherosclerosis exacerbated by periodontitis in spontaneously hyperlipidemic mice.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. We have previously reported that oral administration of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) accelerates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient spontaneously hyperlipidemic (Apoeshl ) mice. This study evaluated the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to change the intestinal flora changes induced by periodontopathic bacteria and to prevent/slow down the development of atherosclerosis. Lactobacillus gasseri O3-2 (Lg) was orally intubated in Apoeshl mice for 5weeks. Three weeks after oral intubation, the mice were orally infected with Pg for 2weeks. Thirty days after the last infection with Pg, Lg+Pg-treated mice showed a significant reduction in alveolar bone loss compared to the Pg-treated group. The Lg treatment restored the Pg-induced intestinal flora disturbance to normal. Furthermore, a significant decrease in atherosclerotic plaque lesion size and suppressed inflammatory cytokine production in the aorta were detected in the Lg+Pg-treated group. In contrast, blood concentrations of TMAO, histidine, and carnitine were enhanced by the Lg treatment but decreased by Lg+Pg treatment. These results suggest that oral Lg treatment is effective in preventing periodontitis and atherosclerosis.