Noboru Kaneko

Serum Antibody to Porphyromonas gingivalis in Chronic Kidney Disease

Potentially significant associations between periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported in recent studies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between serum antibody to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and CKD in 215 Japanese individuals, aged 79 yrs. Serum antibody levels to P. gingivalis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An elevated serum antibody response was defined as the upper quartile and was compared with the bottom three quartiles. Participants were classified as having CKD when their glomerular filtration rate was between 15 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between elevated antibody status and the presence of CKD. Study participants with an elevated serum antibody to P. gingivalis were 2.6 times more likely to have CKD. The adjusted odds ratio of CKD for participants in the highest quartile of serum antibody to P. gingivalis was 2.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-6.34) when compared with others in lower quartiles after simultaneous adjustment for other covariates. In conclusion, the present study suggests that elevated serum antibody to P. gingivalis was significantly associated with decreased kidney function in a community-based cohort of elderly Japanese.

Influence of a fluoride mouthrinse on mutans streptococci in schoolchildren.

This study aimed to determine whether the long-term use of a fluoride mouthrinse affects the salivary levels of mutans streptococci. Two hundred and fifteen schoolchildren (aged 9–10 years) participated. One hundred and forty-nine of these children had used a fluoride mouthrinse since 5 years of age at nursery school, and the remaining 66 children had not. DFT (decayed and filled teeth) was recorded, and the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were measured using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. The group that had used a fluoride mouthrinse had a significantly lower prevalence of both S. mutans and S. sobrinus (p = 0.038) and a significantly lower DFT score (p < 0.001) than the other group. Using logistic regression analysis including caries experience at baseline as a dependent variable, the odds ratio of carrying S. mutans alone was 8.0 (p = 0.066) and that of carrying both S. mutans and S. sobrinus was 16.5 (p = 0.022) in the group that had not used the fluoride mouthrinse. Children carrying both S. mutans and S. sobrinus had a higher caries incidence in 1 year than the others, with odds ratios of 5.73 (p = 0.067) in the group with a fluoride mouthrinse and 3.47 (p = 0.035) in the group without it. These results show that the long-term use of a fluoride mouthrinse is associated with reduced salivary levels of mutans streptococci and this bacterial reduction may partly contribute to the suppression of dental caries in children using a long-term fluoride mouthrinse.

Serum antibody to Porphyromonas gingivalis in metabolic syndrome among an older Japanese population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Potentially significant associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontal disease have been reported in recent studies; however, there is a dearth of literature regarding the relationship of MetS with serum antibody levels to periodontal pathogens. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between MetS and serum antibody to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in 216 Japanese individuals aged 79 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum antibody levels to P. gingivalis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An elevated serum antibody response was defined as the upper quartile and was considered as the outcome variable. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of MetS defined by the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with an elevated antibody status. Adjustments for gender, income, education, smoking status, dental-care utilisation patterns and brushing frequency were considered. RESULTS The prevalence of MetS was 22.2% (n = 48). Study participants with MetS were 2.9 times more likely to have an elevated serum antibody to P. gingivalis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-6.85) after simultaneous adjustment for other covariates. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest an independent relationship between MetS and serum antibody levels to P. gingivalis in the Japanese elderly. Additional longitudinal epidemiologic studies with larger, more diversified samples and more complete information are needed to substantiate our findings.

Tablets containing a cysteine protease, actinidine, reduce oral malodor: a crossover study

Tongue coating (TC) mainly consists of protein mostly from exfoliated epithelial cells. Until now, to reduce TC accumulation, only mechanical measures have been available, and the procedure involves unpleasant side effects, such as gagging reflex or carcinogenesis related to mechanical stimulation. We expected that protease might be effective in reducing the accumulation of TC causing oral malodor. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of long-term use of candy tablets containing protease, actinidine, on both TC accumulation and concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in mouth air. We employed 14 subjects aged 24 to 54 years old for this study, and conducted a double-blind randomized crossover trial. The subjects sucked the tablets containing actinidine three times a day until the sixth day after starting the study. The tablets without actinidine were utilized as a placebo. Measurements of VSC concentration and TC accumulation were carried out before and after chewing tablets on the first day, and also on the seventh day. The levels of VSC and TC significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after tablets were taken on the first day in both the test and placebo groups. There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in VSC after seven days of use only in the test group. The results of the study suggest that the tablets containing actinidine had an accumulative effect in reducing VSC in mouth air with long-term use.

A study on changes in caries risk and microbial flora with the placement of edgewise appliance

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of caries risk and oral microbial flora in the patients having edgewise appliance. Forty-two patients treated at the Orthodontic Clinic of Niigata University Hospital participated. Using a caries risk examination kit by Bio Medical Laboratory (BML, Tokyo), stimulated saliva test was performed to investigate the salivary flow rate, pH of saliva, buffer capacity, and the levels of lactobacilli. Modified Mitis–Salivarius–Bacitracin (MSB) agar plates were used to detect and count Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus. Furthermore, the members of commensal bacteria and transient bacteria in aerobic culture medium were examined in salivary level to investigate the alterations in oral microbial flora. The number of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli decreased after 1 month of treatment, and then increased to reach the initial level at 3 months. While the amount of plaque increased and saliva pH deteriorated after the onset of treatment, the salivary flow rate improved. The number of transient bacteria showed a tendency toward an increase. These results demonstrate that both caries risk and oral microbial flora balance possibly change with the placement of appliances. Therefore, caries risk test should be performed before and during orthodontic treatment to monitor alterations in intraoral environment of the orthodontic patients not to cause an iatrogenic caries.

Factors associated with mucosal dryness in multiple regions and skin: A web-based study in women

We hypothesized that feeling mucosal dryness in one body region and the skin may be associated with dryness in other regions and that there are common background factors for dryness. In an earlier web‐based survey, we reported prevalence figures of dry eyes, nose, mouth, skin, and vagina. In the present study, additional analyses were made to investigate the factors associated with dryness in each region, and simultaneous dryness in multiple regions.

Availability of air powder polishing with crystalline cellulose as a prophylactic method for orthodontic patients with a multi-bracket appliance

Abstract The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the air powder polishing (APP) system with crystalline cellulose with the rubber cup and pumice (RCP) method as prophylactic methods in orthodontic patients. This study included two examinations. First, 58 orthodontic patients were randomized into the APP group or RCP group, and the changes in the colony counts of salivary mutans streptococci (MS) assessed before and after the prophylactic treatment were evaluated. Assessment of MS was conducted three times: immediately before the treatment (Test 1), immediately after the treatment (Test 2), and 1 month after the treatment (Test 3). The samples were inoculated on modified Mitis-Salivarius-Bactracin (MSB) agar plates. Under the microscope, the colonies were counted. In the second experiment, using a randomized split-mouth design, half the mouths of 8 patients were treated with APP and the contralateral side with RCP by three dentists, and then the time required for plaque removal was compared. Significant reduction in the colony count of MS in the saliva was observed in both the APP and RCP groups. However, the count of MS returned to the baseline level after 1 month in both groups. APP removed dental plaques in less time than RCP. APP with crystalline cellulose is a clinically available prophylaxis method for orthodontic patients, and appears to succeed in removing the plaque more quickly.