Effects of the tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate on Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) on established biofilms and biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen of periodontal disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biofilm cell survival was measured using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence. In the presence of EGCg, the ATP level in cells of established biofilms was significantly decreased compared to the controls (P < 0·0001). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that EGCg damaged the cell membrane and cell wall of P. gingivalis. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy revealed that the proportion of dead cells was higher in biofilms treated with EGCg. Moreover, the effects of subminimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of EGCg on P. gingivalis biofilm formation were dose-dependent (P < 0·0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that EGCg destroys established P. gingivalis biofilms and inhibits biofilm formation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Development of chemical control agents against oral biofilms is necessary, because oral biofilms can be only removed using mechanical debridement. This article indicates that EGCg may represent a novel antibiofilm agent that prevents infections involving bacterial biofilms such as periodontitis.

Antibiofilm effects of azithromycin and erythromycin on Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Antibiotic resistance of biofilm-grown bacteria contributes to chronic infections, such as marginal and periapical periodontitis, which are strongly associated with Porphyromonas gingivalis. Concurrent azithromycin (AZM) administration and mechanical debridement improve the clinical parameters of periodontal tissue in situ. We examined the in vitro efficacy of AZM against P. gingivalis biofilms. The susceptibilities of adherent P. gingivalis strains 381, HW24D1, 6/26, and W83 to AZM, erythromycin (ERY), ampicillin (AMP), ofloxacin (OFX), and gentamicin (GEN) were investigated using a static model. The optical densities of adherent P. gingivalis cells were significantly decreased by using AZM and ERY at sub-MIC levels compared with those of the controls in all the strains tested, except for the effect of ERY on strain W83. AMP and OFX inhibited P. gingivalis adherent cells at levels over their MICs, and GEN showed no inhibition in the static model. The effects of AZM and ERY against biofilm cells were investigated using a flow cell model. The ATP levels of P. gingivalis biofilms were significantly decreased by AZM at concentrations below the sub-MICs; however, ERY was not effective for inhibition of P. gingivalis biofilm cells at their sub-MICs. Furthermore, decreased density of P. gingivalis biofilms was observed three-dimensionally with sub-MIC AZM, using confocal laser scanning microscopy. These findings suggest that AZM is effective against P. gingivalis biofilms at sub-MIC levels and could have future clinical application for oral biofilm infections, such as chronic marginal and periapical periodontitis.

Development of a Cavity Disinfectant Containing Antibacterial Monomer MDPB.

An experimental cavity disinfectant (ACC) that is intended to be used for various direct and indirect restorations was prepared by adding an antibacterial monomer 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinum bromide (MDPB) at 5% into 80% ethanol. The antibacterial effectiveness of ACC and its influences on the bonding abilities of resin cements were investigated. To examine the antibacterial activity of unpolymerized MDPB, the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were determined for Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii, Parvimonas micra, Enterococcus faecalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis Antibacterial activities of ACC and the commercial cavity disinfectant containing 2% chlorhexidine and ethanol (CPS) were evaluated by agar disk diffusion tests through 7 bacterial species and by MIC and MBC measurement for S. mutans The effects of ACC and CPS to kill bacteria in dentinal tubules were compared with an S. mutans-infected dentin model. Shear bond strength tests were used to examine the influences of ACC on the dentin-bonding abilities of a self-adhesive resin cement and a dual-cure resin cement used with a primer. Unpolymerized MDPB showed strong antibacterial activity against 7 oral bacteria. ACC produced inhibition zones against all bacterial species similar to CPS. For ACC and CPS, the MIC value for S. mutans was identical, and the MBC was similar with only a 1-step dilution difference (1:2). Treatment of infected dentin with ACC resulted in significantly greater bactericidal effects than CPS (P < 0.05, analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference test). ACC showed no negative influences on the bonding abilities to dentin for both resin cements, while CPS reduced the bond strength of the self-adhesive resin cement (P < 0.05). This study clarified that the experimental cavity disinfectant containing 5% MDPB is more effective in vitro than the commercially available chlorhexidine solution to eradicate bacteria in dentin, without causing any adverse influences on the bonding abilities of resinous luting cements.