Nicotinamide employs a starvation strategy against Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence by inhibiting the heme uptake system and gingipain activities

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of nicotinamide (NAM), a vitamin B3 derivative, on the growth and virulence ofPorphyromonas gingivalis, a key member of the red complex. Our findings revealed that NAM inhibited bacterial growth and gingipain activities, which played a dominant role in protein hydrolysis and heme acquisition. NAM decreased hemagglutination and hemolysis abilities and changed hemin and hemoglobin binding capacities, controlling bacterial infection through a starvation strategy by blocking access to growth-essential nutrients from the outside and reducing bacterial virulence. Several experiments in an animal model showed the effectiveness of NAM in preventing alveolar bone loss and reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, shedding light on its potential therapeutic applicability.

Source: Molecular Oral Microbiology - January 11, 2024 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zixue Lei, Qizhao Ma, Yeting Tu, Yang Qiu, Tao Gong, Yongwang Lin, Xuedong Zhou, Yuqing Li Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research