Novel reuterin-related compounds suppress odour by periodontopathic bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: Halitosis is caused by volatile sulphur compounds including methyl mercaptan (CH3 SH) in the oral cavity and is a serious problem that limits interpersonal social communication. The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of reuterin-related compounds (RRCs) on halitosis-related periodontopathic bacteria in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RRC-01, RRC-02 and RRC-03 (32 and 64 µg ml-1 ) in culture media containing Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM8523 and Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC33277 were used. The effects of RRCs on CH3 SH production and detectable odour by F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis were examined by CH3 SH production assay and organoleptic test, respectively. The number of bacterial cells was also measured using an ATP assay. In P. gingivalis treated with RRCs, the expression of mgl gene, which is responsible for CH3 SH production, was examined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: CH3 SH production and the score of detectable odour from F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis culture media containing RRCs were significantly lower than that without RRCs (P < 0.05). The expression of mgl gene in P. gingivalis was significantly downregulated by RRC-01 (P < 0.01), but not by RRC-02 or RRC-03. CONCLUSIONS: RRCs are potent oral care products for preventing halitosis via reducing CH3 SH production.