Changes in salivary microbiota increase volatile sulfur compounds production in healthy male subjects with academic-related chronic stress

Author(s)

Nani, Bruno Dias ; de Lima, Patricia Oliveira ; Marcondes, Fernanda Klein ; Groppo, Francisco Carlos ; Rolim, Gustavo Sattolo ; Alves de Moraes, Antonio Bento ; Cogo-Mueller, Karina ; Franz-Montan, Michelle

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 12, n. 3 MAR 20 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Objective To investigate the associations among salivary bacteria, oral emanations of volatile sulfur compounds, and academic-related chronic stress in healthy male subjects. Materials and methods Seventy-eight healthy male undergraduate dental students were classified as stressed or not by evaluation of burnout, a syndrome attributed to academic-related chronic stress. This evaluation was carried out using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey questionnaire. Oral emanations of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide were measured using an Oral Chroma(TM) portable gas chromatograph. The amounts in saliva of total bacteria and seven bacteria associated with halitosis were quantified by qPCR. The in vitro production of H2S by S. moorei and/or F. nucleatum was also measured with the Oral Chroma(TM) instrument. Results The stressed students group showed increased oral emanations of hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl sulfide, together with higher salivary Solobacterium moorei levels (p < 0.05, Mann Whitney test). There were moderate positive correlations between the following pairs of variables: Fusobacterium nucleatum and S. moorei; F. nucleatum and hydrogen sulfide; Tannerella forsythia and F. nucleatum; T. forsythia and S. moorei. These correlations only occurred for the stressed group (p < 0.05, Spearman correlation). The in vitro experiment demonstrated that S. moorei increased H2S production by F. nucleatum (p < 0.05, ANOVA and Tukey's test). Conclusion The increased amount of S. moorei in saliva, and its coexistence with F. nucleatum and T. forsythia, seemed to be responsible for increased oral hydrogen sulfide in the healthy male stressed subjects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50419-2 - Oral health and behavior: interdisciplinary perspectives and emotional aspects in the health-disease process
• Grantee: Antonio Bento Alves de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/26691-0 - Relationship between stress and oral microbiota: the effect on the production of volatile sulphur compounds and the role of beta-defensin
• Grantee: Bruno Dias Nani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master