Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Interplay Exacerbates Periodontitis in Diabetic Mice

AIM: To investigate the interplay between oxidative stress and gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of increased periodontitis in diabetic mice and explore potential therapeutic strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic periodontitis (DP) mouse models were established and subjected to interventions including antioxidant treatment, co-housing experiments and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Alveolar bone loss, periodontal inflammation, oxidative stress markers, gut microbiota composition and intestinal barrier function were evaluated. RESULTS: Diabetes exacerbated alveolar bone loss and inflammation markers in mice with periodontitis. DP mice exhibited significantly elevated systemic oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis compared to controls. Curcumin treatment effectively improved these parameters. Co-housing experiments between curcumin-treated and untreated DP mice showed that beneficial gut microbiota could be transferred between cage mates, leading to improved periodontal outcomes in untreated mice. Additionally, FMT from healthy donors reduced alveolar bone loss and periodontal inflammatory markers while improving oxidative stress parameters and restoring gut microbiota balance and barrier function. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the interaction between oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis may form a pathogenic loop associated with the exacerbation of periodontitis in diabetic conditions. The successful outcomes of antioxidant treatment and FMT suggest multiple adjunctive therapeutic approaches for managing DP.