Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Its Probiotic Potential against Cariogenic Bacteria

• Published in: Microbiology research Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 1178 - 1188
• Main Authors: Félix-Sicairos, Brianda Karina, Martinez-Martinez, Rita Elizabeth, Aranda-Romo, Saray, Gonzalez-Amaro, Roberto, Salgado-Bustamante, Mariana, Zavala-Alonso, Norma Verónica, Alpuche-Solís, Ángel Gabriel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Perugia MDPI AG 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Adhesion; Adhesives; Bacteria; bacteriotherapy; Biofilms; Cell culture; Cell death; Cell viability; Competition; Confocal microscopy; Dental caries; Dental enamel; Dysbacteriosis; Effectiveness; Fluorides; In vitro methods and tests; L. reuteri; Microorganisms; Microscopy; Probiotics; Public health; Quantitative analysis; S. mutans; S. sobrinus; Scanning electron microscopy; Statistical analysis; United States > US; Germany
• ISSN: 2036-7481; 2036-7481
• DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres15030079

Bacteriotherapy is a promising option in addressing dental caries, a persistent global public health challenge with multifactorial origin, including dysbiosis. Despite the exploration of various probiotics, outcomes remain inconclusive. Objective: This study aimed to assess the inhibitory potential of L. reuteri and other potential probiotics like S. salivarius and S. oralis on the growth, adhesion, colonization, and viability of major cariogenic pathogens, comparing their probiotic efficacy. Methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted, encompassing direct competition assays in solid and liquid co-culture tests and the characterization of adhesion to dental enamel and cell viability by life or death assay. Results: L. reuteri exhibited the significant inhibition of S. sobrinus and S. mutans growth in both solid and liquid cultures, with statistically notable differences. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy demonstrated reduced cariogenic biofilm formation when combined with L. reuteri, corroborated by diminished bacterial viability and decreased dental enamel coverage. These findings underscore L. reuteri’s potential as an effective agent in caries prevention. Conclusion: The study suggests L. reuteri could serve as an effective probiotic in bacteriotherapy against dental caries. It displayed substantial inhibitory activity in vitro against cariogenic bacteria, impeding biofilm formation and adhesion, thereby impacting cell viability.