School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Periodontal Tissue Engineering, Kaifeng, China.
Caries Res. 2023;57(2):119-132. doi: 10.1159/000529162. Epub 2023 Jan 17.
Circulating nitrate is actively absorbed by salivary glands and secreted into the oral cavity, where it is reduced to nitrite by oral nitrate-reducing bacteria. This process has previously been considered harmful because nitrate and nitrite can promote the formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. However, recent studies have shown that nitrate may have other physiological functions, and it can serve as a precursor for the systemic production of nitric oxide (NO) and perform NO-like functions, such as promoting vasodilation, regulating metabolic diseases, alleviating senescence, and protecting the digestive system. Inside the oral cavity, NO is likely to inhibit sensitive species as part of the nonspecific oral immune system. Exogenous administration of nitrate can maintain a balance in the pH of saliva. Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria can control the progression of caries by metabolizing lactic acid and reducing its accumulation, which is beneficial to the homeostasis of the oral microecology. In the current manuscript, we reviewed nitrate-reducing bacteria and their nitrate-metabolizing functions during the development of caries. Furthermore, we listed the effects of probiotics and dietary modification, which may be a promising method to prevent the occurrence of caries. We believe that this review provides novel ideas for the prevention of caries and treatment in clinical settings.
循环中的硝酸盐被唾液腺主动吸收，并分泌到口腔中，在口腔中被口腔硝酸盐还原菌还原为亚硝酸盐。这一过程以前被认为是有害的，因为硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐可以促进潜在致癌的 N-亚硝胺的形成。然而，最近的研究表明，硝酸盐可能具有其他生理功能，它可以作为全身产生一氧化氮（NO）的前体，并发挥类似 NO 的功能，如促进血管扩张、调节代谢疾病、缓解衰老和保护消化系统。在口腔内，NO 可能作为非特异性口腔免疫系统的一部分抑制敏感物种。外源性给予硝酸盐可以维持唾液 pH 值的平衡。口腔硝酸盐还原菌可以通过代谢乳酸并减少其积累来控制龋齿的进展，这有利于口腔微生态的内稳性。在本手稿中，我们综述了龋齿发生过程中硝酸盐还原菌及其硝酸盐代谢功能。此外，我们列出了益生菌和饮食调整的效果，这可能是预防龋齿发生的一种有前途的方法。我们相信，这篇综述为临床龋齿的预防和治疗提供了新的思路。
