Preventive effects of Weissella cibaria CMU on the progression of periodontitis in a rat model.

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a widespread chronic inflammatory disease impacting 20-50% of the global population.

Methods: This study evaluated the effects of Weissella cibaria CMU (CMU) on preventing the progression of periodontitis in a rat model. Periodontitis was induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide into the palatal gingiva around the first and second maxillary molars. CMU was then administered at three concentrations (low: 2 × 10⁷ CFU/rat/day; mid: 2 × 10⁸ CFU/rat/day; high: 2 × 10⁹ CFU/rat/day) for 14 days to assess its ability to prevent further periodontal damage.

Results: The administration of CMU significantly improved gingivitis and plaque indices in a dose-dependent manner. Macroscopic analysis and micro-computed tomography showed a dose-dependent reduction in alveolar bone loss in the CMU groups. Although histopathological analysis indicated a decrease in bone loss, statistical significance was not achieved in the high-dose group. Pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-1, and MMP-9 were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner in the CMU groups. Additionally, mid- and high-dose CMU increased the relative abundance of Weissella in the oral microbiome.

Conclusions: CMU can influence the oral microbiome, reduce inflammatory mediators, and alleviate histological changes in periodontal tissue, highlighting its potential as a probiotic strain for preventing periodontitis.