Prof. Gunter Kuhnle Dr. Yvonne L. Kapila, DDS, Ph.D.

People who consume a diet including flavanol-rich foods and drinks, including tea, apples and berries, could lead to lower blood pressure, according to the first study using objective measures of thousands of UK residents' diet. PLUS Pathogens found in tissues that surround the teeth contribute to a highly aggressive type of oral cancer, according to a study published 1st October in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Yvonne Kapila of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues. In addition, the study showed that oral cancer formation mediated by the pathogens is inhibited by a bacteriocin - an antimicrobial and probiotic peptide that is produced by bacteria.

[3:00] why study the relationship between flavinols and blood pressure?

• Previous studies show the potential of flavinols to reduce blood pressure, but the mechanisms and the effect on the general population are unknown.

[5:56] Study design.

• Looked at total flavinols and the specific group of epicatechin.
• Epicatechin’s half-life is too short to make a difference except in those that regularly consume it.

[7:20] Study findings.

[10:00] Potential pathways that could be extrapolated from the findings.

• Flavinols don’t act as antioxidants in the body.
• They make the vascular system more flexible and possibly increase angiogenesis.

[11:50] Extracted compound vs. consuming from the tea leaf.

• The effects seem to be the same.

[14:00] Do flavinols stay intact or metabolize into other compounds?

[16:10] What was the magnitude of differences in blood pressure?

• Systolic blood pressure- 2 mm in difference.

[18:00] Any other correlates?

• Healthy lifestyle.
• Tea consumption is not as specific to the population as consuming berries.
• Flavinols act separately from vegetable intake, but the combo of the two is synergistic.

[23:15] Any surprising results?

• The correlation between biomarkers and tea consumption.

[30:30] Even though the effect size is a small difference, it is considered significant.

[34:40] What will be the next step in the research?

• To determine any synergies with food.

[40:00] Take away for clinicians.

• Very small changes in dietary habits can provide the effects of epicatechin.
• Berries and pome fruits are a close seconds to green and black tea.

[54:13] Why study the correlation between pathogen and oral cancer?

[55:48] Does the pathogen originate in the body and make its way into the saliva or vice-versa?

• Start from inflammation in the gums and make their way into the body.

[59:00] The importance of twice/year cleaning.

• Periodontal disease operates on a bi-directional basis.

[1:00:23] Study design.

• Cancer models in mice.
• Periodontal disease seemed to cause the tumors to be more aggressive.
• Bacteriosine treatment showed a mitigation of tumor growth.

[1:02:10] correlation of oral and gut microbiomes.

[1:03:00] The gateway of changing the gut is your mouth.

[1:04:30] Recommendations for improving the oral microbiome.

• Gargling with mouth wash continually can kill off commensal microbes.
• Get more nicin in the diet.
• Periodontitis is not just about the health of the tooth.

[1:12:10] Routine brushing and dental cleanings as well as a healthy general diet will pay dividends.

• Avoid constant use of antibiotics.

[1:17:20] LL-37.