Aim: This randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019‐containing probiotic lozenges as adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis.Materials and Methods: Forty‐one chronic periodontitis patients were recruited and monitored clinically, immunologically, and microbiologically at baseline (before SRP) and 30 and 90 days after SRP. All patients were randomly assigned to a Test (SRP + Probiotic, n = 20) or Control (SRP + Placebo, n = 21) group. The probiotic lozenges were used twice a day for 30 days. The data were statistically analysed.Results: The Test group presented a decrease in probing pocket depth and a clinical attachment gain significantly higher than those of the Control group at 90 days. The Test group also demonstrated significantly fewer periodontal pathogens of red and orange complexes, as well as lower proinflammatory cytokine levels when compared to the Control group. Only the Test group showed an increase in the number of B. lactis HN019 DNA copies on subgingival biofilm at 30 and 90 days.Conclusion: The use of B. lactis HN019 as an adjunct to SRP promotes additional clinical, microbiological, and immunological benefits in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (NCT03408548).

Background: This study evaluates effects of topical administration of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium on experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats.Methods: Thirty‐two rats were divided into groups C (control; without EP), EP (EP only), C‐HN019 (control+probiotic), and EP‐HN019 (EP+probiotic). On day 0 of the experiment, animals of groups EP and EP‐HN019 received cotton ligatures around mandibular first molars (MFMs). In groups C‐HN019 and EP‐HN019, 1 mL of suspensions containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 was topically administered in the subgingival region of MFMs on days 0, 3, and 7. In groups C and EP, topical administrations were performed using a sham suspension (without probiotic). All animals were euthanized at day 14. Gingival tissue, hemimandibles, and oral biofilm were collected. Data were statistically analyzed (P <0.05).Results: Group EP presented greater bone porosity, trabecular separation, and connective tissue attachment loss (CTAL) as well as reduced bone volume than all other groups (P <0.05). In group EP‐HN019, there were greater proportions of Actinomyces and Streptococcus‐like species and lower proportions of Veillonella parvula, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Eikenella corrodens, and Prevotella intermedia‐like species than group EP. Group EP‐HN019 presented greater expressions of osteoprotegerin and β‐defensins than group EP (P <0.05). Group EP presented greater levels of interleukin‐1β and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand than group EP‐HN019 (P <0.05).Conclusion: Topical use of B. lactis HN019 promotes a protective effect against alveolar bone loss and CTALs attributable to EP in rats, modifying immunoinflammatory and microbiologic parameters.

To evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (HN019) on clinical periodontal parameters (plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding), on immunocompetence of gingival tissues [expression of beta-defensin (BD)-3, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), cluster of differentiation(CD)-57 and CD-4], and on immunological properties of saliva (IgA levels) in non-surgical periodontal therapy in generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) patients. Adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and the antimicrobial properties of HN019 were also investigated. Thirty patients were recruited and monitored clinically at baseline (before scaling and root planing—SRP) and after 30 and 90 days. Patients were randomly assigned to Test (SRP+Probiotic, n = 15) or Control (SRP+Placebo, n = 15) group. Probiotic lozenges were used for 30 days. Gingival tissues and saliva were immunologically analyzed. The adhesion of HN019 with or without Porphyromonas gingivalis in BEC and its antimicrobial properties were investigated in in vitro assays. Data were statistically analyzed (p<0.05). Test group presented lower plaque index (30 days) and lower marginal gingival bleeding (90 days) when compared with Control group. Higher BD-3, TLR4 and CD-4 expressions were observed in gingival tissues in Test group than in Control group. HN019 reduced the adhesion of P. gingivalis to BEC and showed antimicrobial potential against periodontopathogens. Immunological and antimicrobial properties of B. lactis HN019 make it a potential probiotic to be used in non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with GCP. B. lactis HN019 may be a potential probiotic to improve the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Name of the registry and registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): “Effects of probiotic therapy in the treatment of periodontitis”—NCT03408548.