Effect of adjuvant probiotic therapy (Lactobacillus reuteri) in the treatment of periodontitis associated with Diabetes Mellitus: clinical, controlled and randomized study

The association of probiotics with mechanical debridement may be a proposal for the treatment of periodontal diseases, especially for patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). The effects of the administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of Periodontitis (P) associated with DM2 were evaluated. A total of 40 diabetic participants and diagnosed with P were randomized into Group RAR + Placebo (n = 20): received mechanical debridement associated with the probiotic and Group RAR + Probi (n = 20): treated with mechanical debridement associated with a placebo. Probing depth (P.S.), gingival recession (RG), clinical insertion level (NIC), plaque index (IP), gingival bleeding index (IG) and PISA index were performed at baseline, 30, 90 and 180 days. Measurement of the concentration of cytokines (INF-γ, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) of the gingival crevicular fluid (FCG), at baseline and 180 days after treatment. Information on adverse effects of medication use and on quality of life was collected. The data were obtained in mean and standard deviation, and analyzed by the Fridman / Tukey and MannWhiteny tests. Considering the methodology of the present study, the results obtained point out that periodontal debridement promoted a significant improvement (p <0.05) in periodontal clinical parameters in both groups, but the use of probiotic was not efficient for additional results when compared with placebo. Periodontal therapy interfered with FCG cytokine levels, but it cannot be said that the use of probiotics has the same effect.