The effect of calcium on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to Human Gingival Epithelial Cells in the presence of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus salivarius

Abstract

Introduction: Oral pathogens are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. The adhesion of probiotic bacteria to epithelial cells plays an important role in inhibiting the growth and binding of pathogenic bacteria. We aim to investigate the effect of calcium carbonate on the binding of Streptococcus mutans to Human Gingival Epithelial Cells (HGECs) in the presence of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum and Salivarius. Methods and materials: Experiments are performed in the presence of calcium and probiotic bacteria and HGECs in duplicate and three times separately. The difference in the amount of Streptococcus mutans in HGECs is determined by the presence and absence of Lactobacillus plantarum or salivarius and calcium or both by dilution and culture procedures. Results: Simple effects analysis showed that the survival rate of HGECs in all doses was significantly higher than negatives (p < .001). The results indicated that the survival rate in the single dose of L. salivarius (0.617 ± 0.003) and L. plantarum (0.652 ± 0.002) was significantly higher than the combined doses. Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates that calcium and probiotics from Lactobacillus salivarius and plantarum alone can improve the survival of HGECs in the presence of Streptococcus mutans. But the combined function of these therapeutic factors is not optimal and even reduces their therapeutic efficacy. © 202