Search Results (845)

Background: In recent years, juicing has often been promoted as a convenient way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, with juice-only diets marketed for digestive cleansing and overall health improvement. However, juicing removes most insoluble fiber, which may diminish the health benefits of whole fruits and vegetables. Lower fiber intake can alter the microbiota, affecting metabolism, immunity, and mental health, though little is known about juicing’s specific effects on the microbiota. This study addresses this gap by exploring how juicing impacts gut and oral microbiome composition in an intervention study. Methods: Fourteen participants followed one of three diets—exclusive juice, juice plus food, or plant-based food—for three days. Microbiota samples (stool, saliva, and inner cheek swabs) were collected at baseline, after a pre-intervention elimination diet, immediately after juice intervention, and 14 days after intervention. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to analyze microbiota taxonomic composition. Results: The saliva microbiome differed significantly in response to the elimination diet (unweighted UniFrac: F = 1.72, R = 0.06, p < 0.005; weighted UniFrac: F = 7.62, R = 0.23, p-value = 0.0025) with a significant reduction in Firmicutes (p = 0.004) and a significant increase in Proteobacteria (p = 0.005). The juice intervention diets were also associated with changes in the saliva and cheek microbiota, particularly in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory bacterial families, potentially due to the high sugar and low fiber intake of the juice-related products. Although no significant shifts in overall gut microbiota composition were observed, with either the elimination diet or the juice intervention diets, bacterial taxa associated with gut permeability, inflammation, and cognitive decline increased in relative abundance. Conclusions: These findings suggest that short-term juice consumption may negatively affect the microbiota. Full article

Various bacterial strains with nitrate-reducing capacity (NRC), such as Haemophilus, Actinomyces, and Neisseria, are known to promote NH₃ production, control pH in the oral cavity, and inhibit the growth of aciduric bacteria. However, experimental evidence on various estimated bacterial networks within the salivary microbiome is insufficient. This study aims to explore potential bacterial compositional competition observed within saliva samples from dental caries patients through a co-culture assay of mitis Streptococci, which is a primary colonizer in the salivary microbiome, and nitrate-reducing bacteria Haemophilus parainfluenzae. We investigated bacterial growth efficiency change by co-culture time using the qRT-PCR method. In addition, we applied LC/Q-TOF-based metabolites screening to confirm metabolic interactions between oral bacterial species and their association with dental caries from a metabolomics perspective. As a result, we first found that the nitrate reduction ability of H. parainfluenzae is maintained even in a co-culture environment with the mitis Streptococci group through a nitrate reduction test. However, nitrate reduction efficiency was hindered when compared with monoculture-based nitrate reduction test results. Next, we designed species-specific primers, and we confirmed by qRT-PCR that there is an obvious competitive relationship in growth efficiency between H. parainfluenzae and two mitis Streptococci (S. australis and S. sanguinis). Furthermore, although direct effects of nitrate reduction on competition have not been identified, we have potentially confirmed through LC/Q-TOF-based metabolite screening analysis that the interaction of various metabolic compounds synthesized from mitis Streptococci is driving inter-strain competition. In particular, we constructed a basic reference core-metabolites list to understand the metabolic network between each target bacterial species (H. parainfluenzae and mitis Streptococci) within the salivary microbiome, which still lacks accumulated research data. Ultimately, we suggest that our data have potential value to be referenced in further metagenomics and metabolomics-based studies related to oral health care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) is widely regarded as the gold standard for oral mucosa antiseptic treatments but has been associated with delayed healing, scar formation, microbiome alterations, and fibroblast toxicity. Tocopherol, with its ability to accelerate tissue healing and minimal side effects, has emerged as a potential alternative. This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of topical tocopherol acetate and 0.2% chlorhexidine in managing postoperative pain and wound healing following oral cavity biopsies. Methods: Seventy-seven patients undergoing oral biopsies were divided into two groups: the test group (tocopherol acetate) and the control group (0.2% chlorhexidine). Pain was assessed using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores on days 1 and 6 postoperatively, and wound healing was evaluated through measurements of the biopsy site’s height and width from standardized photographs analyzed with ImageJ. Painkiller use was also documented. The study followed CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines, with ethical approval from the Padua Ethics Committee and registration on ISRCTN. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in VAS scores, wound dimensions, or painkiller use (p > 0.05). However, significant pain reduction within each group was observed (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Tocopherol acetate showed comparable efficacy to chlorhexidine, suggesting it could be a viable alternative for postoperative care in oral surgery. Full article

Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in various health challenges, particularly in mitigating diabetes-induced renal damage. Numerous studies have highlighted that modifying gut microbiota is a promising therapeutic strategy for preserving kidney function and mitigating diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementations on kidney health in a rat model of diabetes-induced renal damage. Four groups were studied: control, probiotic supplementation, diabetic, and diabetic with probiotic supplementation. Diabetes was induced using a single streptozotocin (STZ) injection after a 12 h fast, and probiotic supplementation (1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg daily) was administered two weeks prior to diabetes induction and continued throughout the experimental period. Weekly assessments included fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycation markers, and kidney function tests. Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were analyzed through oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity test (IST). The microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate changes in diversity and composition. Probiotic supplementation significantly enhanced microbial diversity and composition. Alpha diversity indices such as Shannon and Chao1 demonstrated higher values in the probiotic-treated diabetic group compared to untreated diabetic rats. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a key indicator of gut health, was also restored in the probiotic-treated diabetic group. Results: Probiotic supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats. Antioxidant enzyme levels, depleted in untreated diabetic rats, were restored, reflecting reduced oxidative stress. Histological analysis showed better kidney structure, reduced inflammation, and decreased fibrosis. Furthermore, the Comet assay results confirmed a reduction in DNA damage in probiotic-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementation demonstrated significant protective effects against diabetes-induced renal damage by restoring gut microbiota diversity, improving glycemic control, and reducing oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of targeting the gut microbiota and its systemic effects on kidney health as a therapeutic approach for managing diabetes-related complications. Further research is needed to optimize probiotic treatments and assess their long-term benefits in diabetes management and kidney health. Full article

Dental caries is the most common oral disease in the world and a chronic infectious disease. The cariogenic microbiome plays an important role in the process of caries. The ecological imbalance of microbiota leads to low pH, which causes caries. Therefore, antibacterial materials have always been a hot topic. Traditional antibacterial materials such as cationic antibacterial agents, metal ion antibacterial agents, and some natural extract antibacterial agents have good antibacterial effects. However, they can cause bacterial resistance and have poor biological safety when used for long-term purposes. Intelligent antibacterial materials, such as pH-responsive materials, nanozymes, photoresponsive materials, piezoelectric materials, and living materials are emerging antibacterial nano-strategies that can respond to the caries microenvironment or other specific stimuli to exert antibacterial effects. Compared with traditional antibacterial materials, these materials are less prone to bacterial resistanceand have good biological safety. This review summarizes the characteristics of cariogenic microbiota and some traditional or emerging antibacterial materials. These emerging antibacterial materials can accurately act on the caries microenvironment, showing intelligent antibacterial effects and providing new ideas for caries management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Halitosis is primarily caused by the activity of oral microorganisms. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic approaches to investigate the differences in salivary microbiota and metabolite profiles between individuals with halitosis and periodontitis and healthy controls. Additionally, we expanded the study to examine how oral malodorous compounds interact with human oral squamous carcinoma (HSC-4) cells. Methods: Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) to identify metabolites. We then assessed the correlations between the microbiota and metabolites. Furthermore, the impact of oral malodorous substances on HSC-4 cells was investigated by evaluating apoptosis, antioxidant activity, and inflammatory properties. Results: The microbiota and metabolite profiles showed significant differences between the halitosis with periodontitis group and the periodontally healthy group. The halitosis with periodontitis group exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of eight genera: Tannerella, Selenomonas, Bacteroides, Filifactor, Phocaeicola, Fretibacterium, Eubacterium saphenum, and Desulfobulbus. In contrast, the periodontally healthy group showed significantly higher relative abundances of Family XIII UCG-001, Haemophilus, and Streptobacillus. Two metabolites, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indole and 10,11-dihydro-12R-hydroxy-leukotriene E4, were significantly higher in individuals with halitosis and periodontitis. In the treatment of HSC-4 cells with metabolites, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) did not show significant effects while indole appeared to induce cell death in HSC-4 cells by triggering apoptotic pathways. Additionally, both indole and DMS affected the inflammatory and antioxidant properties of HSC-4 cells. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the mechanisms of halitosis by exploring the correlations between microbiota and metabolite profiles. Furthermore, oral metabolites were shown to impact the cellular response of HSC-4 cells. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis, primarily due to its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which contributes to treatment resistance. Recent research shows that the microbiome, including microbial communities in the oral cavity, gut, bile duct, and intratumoral environments, plays a key role in PDAC development, with microbial imbalances (dysbiosis) promoting inflammation, cancer progression, therapy resistance, and treatment side effects. Microbial metabolites can also affect immune cells, especially natural killer (NK) cells, which are vital for tumor surveillance, therapy response and treatment-related side effects. Dysbiosis can affect NK cell function, leading to resistance and side effects. We propose that a combined biomarker approach, integrating microbiome composition and NK cell profiles, can help predict treatment resistance and side effects, enabling more personalized therapies. This review examines how dysbiosis contributes to NK cell dysfunction in PDAC and discusses strategies (e.g., antibiotics, probiotics, vaccines) to modulate the microbiome and enhance NK cell function. Targeting dysbiosis could modulate NK cell activity, improve the effectiveness of PDAC treatments, and reduce side effects. However, further research is needed to develop unified NK cell–microbiome interaction-based biomarkers for more precise and effective patient outcomes. Full article

Acquisition and development of the oral microbiome are dynamic processes that occur during early life. However, data regarding longitudinal assembly and determinants of the infant oral microbiome are sparse. This study aimed to characterise temporal development of the infant oral microbiome during the first two years of life. Infant oral samples (n = 667 samples, 84 infants) were collected at 2–7 days and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months of age using COPAN E-swabs. Bacterial DNA profiles were analysed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At 4 months of age, 76.2% of infants were exclusively breastfed, while breastfeeding rates were 83.3% at 6 months and 65.5% at 12 months. The median breastfeeding duration was 12 months (IQR: 3 months). In this cohort, the oral microbiome was dominated by Streptococcus mitis, Gemella haemolysans, and Rothia mucilaginosa. Bacterial richness decreased significantly from 1 to 2 months, then rose significantly from 12 to 24 months. Shannon diversity increased from 1 week to 1 month and again from 6 to 9 months and 9 to 12 months (all p ≤ 0.04). Microbiome composition was significantly associated with multiple factors, including pacifier use, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, maternal allergy, pre-pregnancy BMI, siblings, delivery mode, maternal age, pets at home, and birth season (all p ≤ 0.03). Introduction of solid foods was a significant milestone in oral microbiome development, triggering an increase in bacterial diversity (richness p = 0.0004; Shannon diversity p = 0.0007), a shift in the abundance of seven species, and a change in beta diversity (p = 0.001). These findings underscore how the oral microbiome develops over the first two years of life and highlight the importance of multiple factors, particularly the introduction of solid foods, in shaping the oral microbiome during early life. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that profoundly impacts cognitive function and the nervous system. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal roles of iron homeostasis dysregulation and microbial inflammatory factors in the oral and gut microbiome as potential contributors to the pathogenesis of AD. Iron homeostasis disruption can result in excessive intracellular iron accumulation, promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Additionally, inflammatory agents produced by pathogenic bacteria may enter the body via two primary pathways: directly through the gut or indirectly via the oral cavity, entering the bloodstream and reaching the brain. This infiltration disrupts cellular homeostasis, induces neuroinflammation, and exacerbates AD-related pathology. Addressing these mechanisms through personalized treatment strategies that target the underlying causes of AD could play a critical role in preventing its onset and progression. Full article

The pancreas, previously considered a sterile organ, has recently been shown to harbor its own microbiota that may influence tumor biology and patient outcomes. Despite increasing interest in the impact of the microbiome on cancer, the relationship between pancreatic tissue and oral microbiomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains limited. In this study, the oral and pancreas tissue microbiomes of patients with PDAC were compared to patients with other periampullary cancers (DC/AC) and a healthy control group using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in microbial diversity in the saliva of cancer patients compared to healthy controls, while the PDAC patients exhibited a distinct microbial profile in their pancreatic tissues, consisting predominantly of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacter, after filtering the microbiome of the indoor environment. Notably, the presence of oral bacteria such as Anoxybacillus, Clostridium, and Bacillus in pancreatic tissues suggests potential translocation from the oral cavity. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of body fluid and tissue microbiota in pancreatic cancer, proposing that oral dysbiosis may contribute to disease progression. Moreover, the results suggest that the microbiome of the indoor environment in which samples are collected and analyzed is also important in microbiota analysis studies. Full article

This review explores the emerging relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and periodontal disease (PD), emphasizing shared inflammatory pathways, overlapping risk factors, and potential systemic health implications. Both conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which independently contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic disorders. Evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship, with OSA-related hypoxia exacerbating periodontal tissue breakdown and PD-induced inflammation potentially influencing OSA severity. However, the causative nature of the relationship between OSA and PD remains uncertain, largely due to inconsistencies in diagnostic criteria, methodological variability, and study heterogeneity. This review highlights the essential role of systematic reviews (SRs) in synthesizing current evidence, identifying research gaps, and guiding future studies. To maximize their impact, SRs should adhere to rigorous methodological quality standards, improve transparency in data reporting, and address the heterogeneity of included studies. Future research should focus on longitudinal and interventional designs, standardize diagnostic protocols, and investigate biomarkers, oral microbiome profiles, and inflammatory mediators to elucidate the mechanisms linking OSA and PD. Multidisciplinary collaboration between dental and sleep specialists is crucial to advancing evidence-based strategies that improve patient outcomes and address the broader health implications of these often coexisting conditions. Full article

For decades, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research has focused on the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which identifies amyloid-beta (Aβ) as the primary driver of the disease. However, the consistent failure of Aβ-targeted therapies to demonstrate efficacy, coupled with significant safety concerns, underscores the need to rethink our approach to AD treatment. Emerging evidence points to microbial infections as environmental factors in AD pathoetiology. Although a definitive causal link remains unestablished, the collective evidence is compelling. This review explores unconventional perspectives and emerging paradigms regarding microbial involvement in AD pathogenesis, emphasizing the gut–brain axis, brain biofilms, the oral microbiome, and viral infections. Transgenic mouse models show that gut microbiota dysregulation precedes brain Aβ accumulation, emphasizing gut–brain signaling pathways. Viral infections like Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may lead to AD by modulating host processes like the immune system. Aβ peptide’s antimicrobial function as a response to microbial infection might inadvertently promote AD. We discuss potential microbiome-based therapies as promising strategies for managing and potentially preventing AD progression. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restores gut microbial balance, reduces Aβ accumulation, and improves cognition in preclinical models. Probiotics and prebiotics reduce neuroinflammation and Aβ plaques, while antiviral therapies targeting HSV-1 and vaccines like the shingles vaccine show potential to mitigate AD pathology. Developing effective treatments requires standardized methods to identify and measure microbial infections in AD patients, enabling personalized therapies that address individual microbial contributions to AD pathogenesis. Further research is needed to clarify the interactions between microbes and Aβ, explore bacterial and viral interplay, and understand their broader effects on host processes to translate these insights into clinical interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are common inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhaler devices. The difference in formulation and administration technique of these devices may influence oral cavity microbiota composition. We aimed to compare the saliva microbiome in children with moderate-to-severe asthma using ICS via MDIs versus DPIs. Methods: Saliva samples collected from 143 children (6–17 yrs) with moderate-to-severe asthma across four European countries (The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Slovenia) as part of the SysPharmPediA cohort were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. The microbiome was compared using global diversity (α and β) between two groups of participants based on inhaler devices (MDI (n = 77) and DPI (n = 65)), and differential abundance was compared using the Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes with the Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC) method. Results: No significant difference was observed in α-diversity between the two groups. However, β-diversity analysis revealed significant differences between groups using both Bray–Curtis and weighted UniFrac methods (adjusted p-value = 0.015 and 0.044, respectively). Significant differential abundance between groups, with higher relative abundance in the MDI group compared to the DPI group, was detected at the family level [Carnobacteriaceae (adjusted p = 0.033)] and at the genus level [Granulicatella (adjusted p = 0.021) and Aggregatibacter (adjusted p = 0.011)]. Conclusions: Types of ICS devices are associated with different saliva microbiome compositions in moderate-to-severe pediatric asthma. The causal relation between inhaler types and changes in saliva microbiota composition needs to be further evaluated, as well as whether this leads to different potential adverse effects in terms of occurrence and level of severity. Full article

The cat oral microbiome plays an important role in maintaining host health, yet little is known about how to apply microbial data in a clinical setting. One such use of microbiome signatures is in cases of feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a severe debilitating complex disease of the oral cavity. FCGS-afflicted cats have limited treatment options, and individual patient responses to treatment are needed. In this work, we used deep sequencing of total RNA of the oral microbiome to chronicle microbial changes that accompanied an FCGS-afflicted cat’s change from treatment-non-responsive to treatment-responsive within a 17-month span. The oral microbiome composition of the two treatment-non-responsive time points differed from that of the treatment-responsive point, with notable shifts in the abundance of Myscoplasmopsis, Aspergillus, and Capnocytophaga species. Intriguingly, the presence of the fungal groups Aspergillus and Candida primarily differentiated the two non-responsive microbiomes. Associated with responder status were multiple Capnocytophaga species, including Capnocytophaga sp. H2931, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, and Capnocytophaga canimorsus. The observation that the oral microbiome shifts in tandem by response to treatment in FCGS suggests a potential use for microbiome evaluations in a clinical setting. This work contributes to developing improved molecular diagnostics for enhanced efficacy of individualized treatment plans to improve oral disease. Full article