Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 Alleviates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Mice
- 2021-06-04
- Frontiers in Immunology 12
- Yan Wang
- Jiatong Li
- Hao Zhang
- Xin Zheng
- Jiantao Wang
- X. Jia
- X. Peng
- Qian Xie
- J. Zou
- L. Zheng
- Jiyao Li
- Xuedong Zhou
- Xin Xu
- PubMed: 34149727
- DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684824
Abstract
Background: Oral mucositis is the most common oral complication of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, leading to poor quality of life. Limitations of the current interventions on radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) urge the development of novel therapeutics. Here, we evaluated the treatment outcome of probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 on RIOM mice, and oral microbiota that is associated with the progress of RIOM was further investigated.
Methods: An experimental RIOM mouse model was established, and S. salivarius K12 was applied to the mouse oral cavity daily. Histological analyses were performed to evaluate the severity of oral mucositis and the treatment outcome of S. salivarius K12. The oral microbiota of mice was further analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, microbial culture and qPCR.
Results: Irradiation induced conspicuous mucositis in the oral cavity of mice. S. salivarius K12 treatment was beneficial for the healing of RIOM, as reflected by reduced ulcer size, increased basal layer epithelial cellularity and mucosal thickness, and elevated epithelial proliferation and attenuated apoptosis. RIOM mice presented significant oral microbial dysbiosis, with an overgrowth of oral anaerobes. S. salivarius K12 treatment reconstituted the oral microbiota and decreased the abundance of oral anaerobes of RIOM mice. In addition, S. salivarius K12 treatment inhibited NI1060 in Pasteurella genus and downregulated the expression of nitrate reductase.
Conclusions: S. salivarius K12 treatment can alleviate RIOM and reconstituted the dysbiotic oral microbiota in mice. S. salivarius K12 may represent a promising adjuvant treatment to improve the quality of life of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.
Keywords: Streptococcus salivarius K12; dysbiosis; oral mucositis; probiotics; radiotherapy.
Research Insights
Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
---|---|---|---|
Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 | Reduced Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis | Beneficial | Large |
Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 | Restored Oral Microbiota Balance | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Attenuated Apoptosis | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Increased Basal Layer Epithelial Cellularity | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Increased Epithelial Proliferation | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Increased Mucosal Thickness | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Inhibited NI1060 in Pasteurella | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Reduced Nitrate Reductase Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Reduced Ulcer Size | Beneficial | Moderate |
Streptococcus salivarius K12 | Restored Oral Microbiota Balance | Beneficial | Moderate |