Influence of Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, and prebiotic inulin on dysbiotic dental biofilm composition ex vivo

Abstract Background Probiotic bacterial supplementation has shown promising results in the treatment of periodontitis and the maintenance of periodontal health. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus reuteri or Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis supplementation with and without prebiotic inulin on biofilm composition using an ex vivo biofilm model. Methods Subgingival plaque specimens from three periodontitis‐affected human donors were used to grow biofilms on hydroxyapatite disks in media supplemented with varying combinations of prebiotic inulin, Lactobacillus reuteri , and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis . Relative abundances of bacterial genera present in mature biofilms were evaluated using 16S rRNA next‐generation sequencing. Diversity metrics of microbial communities were evaluated using a next‐generation microbiome bioinformatics platform. Results Inulin supplementation produced statistically significant dose‐dependent increases in relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species ( p < 0.001) with concomitant decreases in relative abundances of Streptococcus, Veillonella, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas , and Prevotella species ( p < 0.001). Inoculation with L. reuteri or B. animalis subsp. lactis increased the relative abundance of only the supplemented probiotic genera ( p < 0.05). Supplemental inulin led to a statistically significant decrease in biofilm alpha diversity ( p < 0.001). Conclusions The described ex vivo model appears suitable for investigating the effects of probiotic bacteria, prebiotic oligosaccharides, and combinations thereof on biofilm composition and complexity. Within the limitations imposed by this model, results from the present study underscore the potential for prebiotic inulin to modify biofilm composition favorably. Additional research further elucidating biologic rationale and controlled clinical research defining therapeutic benefits is warranted.