Effect of Weissella cibaria on the reduction of periodontal tissue destruction in mice.

Background: Periodontitis is associated with dysbiosis of microbial flora in the oral cavity. We evaluated the effects of an oral care probiotic, Weissella cibaria CMU, on periodontal tissue destruction and regulation of inflammatory cytokines in mice with ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP).

Methods: Fourteen-day LIP model was used. Ninety animals were randomly divided into six groups: negative control (Ctrl), positive control (LIP/Ctrl), PBS-treated (LIP/PBS), W. cibaria-low (1 × 10 colony forming unit (CFU)/d; LIP/WC-L), W. cibaria-medium (1 × 10 CFU/d; LIP/WC-M), and W. cibaria-high (1 × 10  CFU/d; LIP/WC-H). After the 14-day treatment, alveolar bone loss was determined using micro-computed tomography. The gingival tissue and serum samples from Ctrl, LIP/Ctrl, and LIP/WC-H groups were immunoassayed for cytokines. Measurements of Porphyromonas gingivalis, total bacteria, and W. cibaria in the gingiva were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Mice in the LIP/WC-H group showed significant reduction in alveolar bone loss at the distal aspect of the ligatured teeth compared to those in the LIP/Ctrl group. There was a dose-dependent reduction (non-significant) in periodontal tissue destruction with increased W. cibaria concentration. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in LIP/WC-H than in LIP/Ctrl. The LIP/WC-H group showed significantly fewer total bacteria compared to the LIP/Ctrl group but it was similar to that in Ctrl groups, and P. gingivalis was not detected in the gingival tissue.

Conclusions: W. cibaria CMU reduces periodontal tissue destruction apparently by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and by reducing oral bacteria in a model for periodontal disease.