Effects of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on dental plaque microbiota

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on dental plaque microbiota. Methods Caries-free young adults were administered a probiotic drink containing L. casei Shirota (Yakult) three times on day 1, then once daily for 28 days. Dental plaque samples were collected and analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing before (day 1), during (day 2), and one day following intervention (day 30). Results Out of samples from 10 included participants, 256 814 sequences passed through quality control, clustered into 170–234 different ‘species-level’ phylotypes. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla. Dental plaque microbiota composition significantly changed at different taxonomic levels following probiotic consumption. At genus level, the relative abundance of Veillonella and Kingella increased significantly following intervention, while that of Leptotrichia reduced significantly during intervention, but recovered to baseline level at day 30. Alpha diversity and overall structure of the dental plaque microbiota was not significantly impacted by the probiotic. Conclusion Yakult intake changed the abundance of some bacteria related to caries, suggesting that the change of composition may be beneficial to oral health, while the overall microbiota structure remained unaffected.

Effects of Fermented Milk Containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Strain Shirota on Constipation in Patients with Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Veillonella uses lactate and metabolizes it to weaker acids, such as acetate and propionate. In a recent clinical study to investigate the effects of a LcS probiotic drink on dental plaque microbiota, the relative abundance of Veillonella was significantly increased following a 28-day LcS intervention [ 39 ]. Rikenellaceae is associated with schizophrenia [ 40 ].…”

Multi-Omics Reveals the Inhibition of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCFM8724 in Streptococcus mutans-Candida albicans Mixed-Species Biofilms

“…L. salivarius inhibits S. mutans and C. albicans double-species caries biofilms by decreasing the amount of caries pathogenic species and reducing the biofilm mass in vitro [5]. Another study indicated that after taking a probiotic drink containing L. casei strain Shirota for 28 days, the abundance of Veillonella and Kingella increased significantly, while the abundance of some other bacteria related to caries was decreased in the oral cavity of young adults, as shown by the 16S rRNA sequencing results [7]. Different probiotic strains may prevent caries via different mechanisms, including the inhibition of cariogenic bacteria growth [8] and pathogenesis, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production reduction [9], quorum sensing inhibition [10], and reduction of the expression of key metabolic and virulence genes [11].…”

The Role of Oral Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria in the Prevention of Caries: A Review Related to Caries and Nitrate Metabolism

“…Rosier et al [2018] found that the adhesion ability of S. mutans to teeth and oral mucosal surfaces was directly reduced by the agglutination reaction of some probiotics, and these probiotics can also regulate the composition of salivary glycoproteins to maintain the oral microecological balance. Continuous consumption of probiotic drinks containing Lactobacillus casei can significantly increase the abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria, such as Veillonella and Kingella, because these probiotics can compete for adhesion sites, nutrients, and growth factors with bacteria that induce caries [Hu et al, 2019]. However, other studies have reported that the advantage of probiotics may not be significant in the prevention of caries and that, in some instances, they may not impact the occurrence of dental caries.…”