Oxygen Therapy Effects On Subgingival And Intestinal Microbiota In Periodontitis

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 28% O₂ on periodontitis progression, subgingival microbiota, and gut microbiota. In Experiment 1, eighteen 8-week-old male Wistar rats, approved by the Ethics Committee, were randomized into three groups (n=6 each): normal control (N), periodontitis (P), and oxygen therapy periodontitis (P-G). Two weeks post-modeling, subgingival microbiota from ligature samples was analyzed via 2bRAD-M sequencing, and gut microbiota from fecal samples (weeks 1 and 2) via 16S rRNA sequencing. In Experiment 2, twelve rats with 2-week ligature-induced periodontitis, under the same ethical approval, received ligature removal and basic periodontal treatment, then were split into two groups (n=6 each): basic treatment (T) and basic treatment plus oxygen therapy (T+G). Alveolar bone recovery was assessed using micro-CT. At two weeks, 2bRAD-M sequencing revealed that P-G exhibited reduced Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, with increased Neisseria weaveri compared to P (P<0.05), suggesting oxygen therapy suppresses pathogens and aids beneficial bacteria recovery. 16S rRNA sequencing showed P-G had higher Lactobacillus and lower Prevotella than P (P<0.05), indicating promotion of beneficial gut bacteria and inhibition of harmful ones. After three weeks of treatment, Micro-CT demonstrated that T+G had significantly better BV/TV than T (P<0.05). Oxygen therapy mitigates periodontitis progression and enhances bone healing by reducing anaerobic pathogens and balancing oral-gut microbiota, underscoring its potential as an effective intervention strategy.