The Effect of Oral Probiotics (Streptococcus Salivarius k12) on the Salivary Level of Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Salivation Rate, and Oral Biofilm: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Ksenia Babina,Oxana Svitich,Nina Novozhilova,Samya Ahmad El-Abed,Roman Samoylikov,Alexandr Zaytsev,Dilara Salikhova,Maria Polyakova

doi:10.3390/nu14051124

Abstract

We aimed to assess the effect of oral probiotics containing the Streptococcus salivarius K12 strain on the salivary level of secretory immunoglobulin A, salivation rate, and oral biofilm. Thirty-one consenting patients meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm, parallel-group study and randomly divided into probiotic (n = 15) and placebo (n = 16) groups. Unstimulated salivation rate, concentration of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A, Turesky index, and Papillary-Marginal-Attached index were assessed after 4 weeks of intervention and 2 weeks of washout. Thirty patients completed the entire study protocol. We found no increase in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A levels and salivary flow rates in the probiotic group compared with placebo. Baseline and outcome salivary secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations (mg/L) were 226 ± 130 and 200 ± 113 for the probiotic group and 205 ± 92 and 191 ± 97 for the placebo group, respectively. A significant decrease in plaque accumulation was observed in the probiotic group at 4 and 6 weeks. Within the limitations of the present study, it may be concluded that probiotic intake (Streptococcus salivarius K12) does not affect salivation rates and secretory immunoglobulin A salivary levels but exhibits a positive effect on plaque accumulation. Trial registration NCT05039320. Funding: none.

Highlights

The oral cavity harbors the second largest microbiome in the human body
The aim of our study is to assess the effect of oral probiotics containing Streptococcus salivarius K12 strain on the salivary level of secretory immunoglobulin A, salivation rate, and oral biofilm
The study sample included 31 volunteers (27 females and 3 males) aged 20–24 years. They were divided into the placebo group (14 females and 2 males) and the probiotic group (14 females and 1 male) using a random sequence generator

Summary

Introduction

The oral cavity harbors the second largest microbiome in the human body. This microbial community, hosting over 700 species [1], is based on the interactions of microorganisms with the host environment as well as on their interaction with each other [2]. A healthy oral cavity is characterized by a dynamic balance between commensal (i.e., non-infectious) and opportunistic (cariogenic) microorganisms. The most common non-communicable disease worldwide [4], are primarily caused by an imbalance in the oral microbiome, i.e., a predominance of cariogenic microorganisms, including various types of streptococci and lactobacilli, actinomyces, bacteroides, and bifidobacteria [5]. In this regard, the replacement of the cariogenic microorganisms with commensals is one of the possible strategies to prevent dental caries. This can be achieved by using drugs (supplements) that restore the balance of microflora, i.e., oral biotics and probiotics [6]

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