Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4717 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri MG4722 ameliorate periodontitis in vitro and in a rat model

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the progressive destruction of periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone and collagen matrix. Conventional treatments have limitations, necessitating alternative approaches that can modulate both microbial and host immune responses. We evaluated the effects of Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4717 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri MG4722 on periodontitis using in vitro and rat models of ligature- and lipopolysaccharide-induced periodontitis in male Sprague-Dawley rats with ligature- and lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis injection, followed by 28-day oral administration of probiotics. Both strains significantly reduced bone loss and collagen destruction by downregulating matrix metalloproteinase-3 and -8 expression and restoring the RANKL/OPG ratio. Additionally, these strains suppressed the expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the phosphorylation of NF-κB proteins. Furthermore, these strains reduced the total bacterial load and the abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum in the oral cavity. Collectively, MG4717 and MG4722 are promising probiotic adjuncts for periodontitis.