Arginine and Fluoride Combination Inhibits Pathogenicity of Human Dental Biofilms

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18504
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Okamoto (Kuriki) Nanako (栗木菜々子) 大阪大学, 歯学部附属病院, 招へい教員 (60781432)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: デンタルバイオフィルム / 次世代シーケンサー / 制御 / アルギニン / フッ化物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oral biofilms are involved in dental caries and periodontal disease, and their effects on the whole body have also been reported. Arginine, a component of saliva, is attracting attention as a prebiotic to control oral biofilms. Since fluoride has been shown to be effective in preventing dental caries, we considered it necessary to investigate the effect of arginine and fluoride on the bacterial flora when they are used in combination.
Using an in situ biofilm model developed by the applicants in this study, we performed a quantitative and comprehensive search for the combined effects of arginine and fluoride by metagenomic analysis, and found that arginine and fluoride only changed the oral microflora without affecting the number of viable oral bacteria by increasing NH4+ in the oral cavity, suggesting the synergintic effect of arginine and fluoide.

Free Research Field

歯科保存学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では,デンタルバイオフィルムの制御・抑制法の確立を目指し,申請者らが新規開発したin situバイオフィルムモデルを用いて,次世代シーケンサーを用いたメタゲノム解析により,デンタルバイオフィルムへのアルギニンとフッ化物の効果を定量的・網羅的に検索し,病原性抑制への相乗効果を科学的に検証することを目的としている．これにより，新たなデンタルバイオフィルム制御の創出が期待でき,これは口腔疾病の予防および治療に有効であるだけでなく,さらにはヒトの全身的健康の増進に繋がると自負している.