학회지 리뷰

Periodontitis refers to a wide range of the inflammatory conditions of supporting dental structures. For some patients with periodontitis, antibacterial agents are needed as an adjuvant to mechanical debridement treatments and oral hygiene maintenance. However, the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the prophylaxis and treatment of periodontal infections results in the emergence of resistant pathogens. Therefore, probiotics have become markedly interesting to researchers as a potentially safe alternative to periodontal treatment and maintenance. Probiotics have been used in medicine for decades and extensively applied to the treatment of inflammatory diseases through the modulation of microbial synergy and other mechanisms. A growing amount of evidence has shown that using Lactobacillus strains for oral cavity maintenance could improve periodontal health. In this study, we reviewed studies showing proof of the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus species on periodontal inflammation. We also explored the rationale and potential for using Lactobacillus species in the management of periodontitis.

Xenophagy is a specific selective autophagy for the elimination of intracellular bacteria. Current evidence suggests that the processes for host autophagy system to recognize and eliminate invading bacteria are complex, and vary according to different pathogens. Although both ubiquitin-dependent and ubiquitin-independent autophagy exist in host to defense invading bacteria, successful pathogens have evolved diverse strategies to escape from or paralyze host autophagy system. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of host autophagy system to recognize and eliminate intracellular pathogens and the mechanisms of different pathogens to escape from or paralyze host autophagy system, with a particular focus on the most extensively studied bacteria.

Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is an important contributor to metabolic diseases. Alterations in microbial communities are associated with changes in lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, intestinal barrier functions, and chronic inflammation, all of which can lead to metabolic disorders. Therefore, the gut microbiome may represent a novel therapeutic target for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This review discusses how gut microbes and their products affect metabolic diseases and outlines potential treatment approaches via manipulation of the gut microbiome. Increasing our understanding of the interactions between the gut microbiome and host metabolism may help restore the healthy symbiotic relationship between them.