Title:Subversion of the Oral Microbiota and Induction of Immune-Mediated Systemic
Inflammation with Special Reference to Periodontitis: Current
Knowledge and Perspectives
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Luigi Santacroce*, Eleonora Lo Muzio*, Lucrezia Bottalico, Francesca Spirito, Ioannis Alexandros Charitos, Pier Carmine Passarelli and Emilio Jirillo
Affiliation:
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124
Bari, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Keywords:
Inflammation, immunity, microbiota, natural products, oral cavity, periodontitis, gut/mouth axis.
Abstract: Under steady-state circumstances, the oral microbiota is in equilibrium with host tissues,
thus contributing to local and systemic health. Any interruption of such equilibrium leads
to a condition of dysbiosis with the proliferation of oral pathogens able to cause gingivitis and
periodontal disease. The mechanisms of periodontitis will be described, mostly emphasizing the
noxious effects exerted by oral pathogens on the periodontium either directly or indirectly via the
release of an array of mediators, even including pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and
enzymes. The persistence of local inflammation ultimately leads to systemic inflammation; therefore,
the link between periodontitis and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease will be elucidated.
Some natural compounds, such as polyphenols, prebiotics, and probiotics, will be discussed
for their ability to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities in the context of the
inflamed buccal cavity and systemically, as well as for their modulation of the altered gum-gut
microbiota.
