26 September 2022

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Gel treats gum disease by fighting inflammation

Topical gel blocks the receptor for a metabolic byproduct

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A topical gel that blocks the receptor for a metabolic byproduct called succinate treats gum disease by suppressing inflammation and changing the makeup of bacteria in the mouth, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry and published in Cell Reports.

The research, conducted in mice and using human cells and plaque samples, lays the groundwork for a non-invasive treatment for gum disease that people could apply to the gums at home to prevent or treat gum disease. NYU College of Dentistry announced the study's findings in a Sept. 20 news release. 

Yugi Guo, an associate research scientist in the Department of Molecular Pathobiology at NYU Dentistry, is the study's co-first author.

Gum disease is one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases, affecting nearly half of adults 30 and older. It is marked by three components: inflammation, an imbalance of unhealthy and healthy bacteria in the mouth, and destruction of the bones and structures that support the teeth. Uncontrolled gum disease can lead to painful and bleeding gums, difficulty chewing, and tooth loss.

Past research has linked increased succinate - a molecule produced during metabolism - to gum disease, with higher succinate levels associated with higher levels of inflammation. Guo and her colleagues at NYU College of Dentistry also discovered in 2017 that elevated levels of succinate activate the succinate receptor and stimulate bone loss. These findings made the succinate receptor an appealing target for countering inflammation and bone loss — and potentially stopping gum disease in its tracks.

A novel treatment

To see if blocking the succinate receptor could ameliorate gum disease, the researchers developed a gel formulation of a small compound that targets the succinate receptor and prevents it from being activated. In laboratory studies of human gum cells, the compound reduced inflammation and processes that lead to bone loss.

Learn more about the research, study authors and funding on the NYU news site. 

About NYU College of Dentistry

Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating nearly 10 percent of the nation's dentists. NYU Dentistry has a significant global reach with a highly diverse student body.