Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients

Proanthocyanidins (PACs), also called condensed tannins, are oligomers or polymers composed of flavan-3-ols. This review aimed to explore the potential role of PACs in ameliorating oral health problems, with a particular focus on their effects within the intestine—especially the colon, where most or...

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Main Authors: Yoshimi Niwano, Shunichi Shishido, Midori Shirato, Hidetsugu Kohzaki, Keisuke Nakamura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Antioxidants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/7/850
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author Yoshimi Niwano
Shunichi Shishido
Midori Shirato
Hidetsugu Kohzaki
Keisuke Nakamura
author_facet Yoshimi Niwano
Shunichi Shishido
Midori Shirato
Hidetsugu Kohzaki
Keisuke Nakamura
author_sort Yoshimi Niwano
collection DOAJ
description Proanthocyanidins (PACs), also called condensed tannins, are oligomers or polymers composed of flavan-3-ols. This review aimed to explore the potential role of PACs in ameliorating oral health problems, with a particular focus on their effects within the intestine—especially the colon, where most orally ingested PACs are believed to accumulate. Previous studies suggest that PACs can be beneficial in periodontal disease as well as in the osseointegration of dental implants in patients with osteoporosis. Periodontal disease is worsened by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that enter the bloodstream due to disrupted tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells, along with inflammatory cytokines released by activated macrophages. A similar mechanism is thought to affect osseointegration: LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines originating in the intestine can enter the bloodstream, contributing to bone loss and impaired integration of dental implants. PACs absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells can function as prooxidants, triggering the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, which strengthens the gut barrier. This enhanced barrier reduces the levels of LPS and inflammatory cytokines in the blood, leading to the alleviation of periodontal inflammation and increased alveolar bone density, thereby promoting better osseointegration of dental implants.
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spelling doaj-art-ad34b64337534fe6876d11b278da7d8a2025-08-20T03:13:39ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-07-0114785010.3390/antiox14070850Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic PatientsYoshimi Niwano0Shunichi Shishido1Midori Shirato2Hidetsugu Kohzaki3Keisuke Nakamura4Faculty of Nursing, Shumei University, 1-1 Daigaku-cho, Yachiyo 276-0003, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Advanced Free Radical Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Advanced Free Radical Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanFaculty of Nursing, Shumei University, 1-1 Daigaku-cho, Yachiyo 276-0003, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Advanced Free Radical Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanProanthocyanidins (PACs), also called condensed tannins, are oligomers or polymers composed of flavan-3-ols. This review aimed to explore the potential role of PACs in ameliorating oral health problems, with a particular focus on their effects within the intestine—especially the colon, where most orally ingested PACs are believed to accumulate. Previous studies suggest that PACs can be beneficial in periodontal disease as well as in the osseointegration of dental implants in patients with osteoporosis. Periodontal disease is worsened by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that enter the bloodstream due to disrupted tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells, along with inflammatory cytokines released by activated macrophages. A similar mechanism is thought to affect osseointegration: LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines originating in the intestine can enter the bloodstream, contributing to bone loss and impaired integration of dental implants. PACs absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells can function as prooxidants, triggering the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, which strengthens the gut barrier. This enhanced barrier reduces the levels of LPS and inflammatory cytokines in the blood, leading to the alleviation of periodontal inflammation and increased alveolar bone density, thereby promoting better osseointegration of dental implants.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/7/850proanthocyanidinsoral health problemsosteoporosisgut barrier functionNrf2 signaling pathway
spellingShingle Yoshimi Niwano
Shunichi Shishido
Midori Shirato
Hidetsugu Kohzaki
Keisuke Nakamura
Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
Antioxidants
proanthocyanidins
oral health problems
osteoporosis
gut barrier function
Nrf2 signaling pathway
title Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
title_full Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
title_fullStr Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
title_full_unstemmed Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
title_short Therapeutic Potential of Proanthocyanidins in Dentistry: A Focus on Periodontal Disease and on Dental Implants in Osteoporotic Patients
title_sort therapeutic potential of proanthocyanidins in dentistry a focus on periodontal disease and on dental implants in osteoporotic patients
topic proanthocyanidins
oral health problems
osteoporosis
gut barrier function
Nrf2 signaling pathway
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/7/850
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