New Insights into periodontal pathogenesis through the interaction between diet and oral microbiota

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18827
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Sakanaka Akito 大阪大学, 大学院歯学研究科, 助教 (90815557)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔細菌 / 食 / 機能性代謝物 / 歯周病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Functional metabolites, generated through the interaction between diet and gut microbiota, impact host physiological functions and disease tendencies. The exploration and utilization of these metabolites are gaining attention. The oral cavity, the entry point of the digestive system, houses a rich and complex microbiota similar to the gut. It is expected that many metabolites are produced through interactions with food in this area, but their details remain largely unknown. In this study, we used metabolomic and metagenomic analyses to investigate metabolites produced by oral microbiota through interactions with diet. We aimed to identify those that influence the pathogenicity of periodontal disease, thereby shedding light on the chemical crosstalk between oral microbiota and diet.

Free Research Field

予防歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

消化管の一部である口腔には、腸と同様に複雑な微生物叢が存在するが、食を介した口腔細菌叢と宿主の相互作用については、発酵性糖質によるう蝕の形成以外は、まだ多くの点が未解明である。特に、食と口腔細菌叢の相互作用が歯周病に及ぼす影響については、ほとんど分かっていない。本研究で口腔細菌叢と食のケミカルクロストークの一端が明らかになり、これまで見過ごされてきた食の歯周病の発症と重症化への影響が示唆されたことで、新たな歯周病の予防と治療に役立つ方法の開発に貢献する可能性がある。