Study Indicates ARESTIN Antibiotic Reduces Periodontitis Pathogens

US: Researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry have conducted a clinical study revealing the effectiveness of ARESTIN®, an FDA-approved antibiotic developed by OraPharma, in reducing certain key pathogens associated with periodontal disease. 

The study, sponsored in part by Bausch Health and its oral health care business, OraPharma, aimed to determine the impact of ARESTIN (minocycline HCI) microspheres, 1mg on periodontal pathogens and clinical outcomes when applied after scaling and root planning (SRP) procedures. The findings of the study were recently published in the Journal of Periodontology.

Positive Results for ARESTIN Application

The randomized clinical trial, titled “Effect of Scaling and Root Planing With and Without Minocycline HCI Microspheres on Periodontal Pathogens and Clinical Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” involved two groups of participants, totaling 70 individuals. 

One group received ARESTIN application following SRP, while the other group underwent SRP alone. The study revealed a statistically significant decrease in six periodontal pathogens when ARESTIN was applied immediately after SRP and again at a three-month reapplication, compared to the SRP-alone group. The pathogens exhibiting significant reduction included Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum/periodonticum, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, and Eikenella corrodens.

Moreover, the application of minocycline HCI microspheres demonstrated improvements in various clinical measures, such as probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, and gingival index. These positive outcomes suggest the potential of ARESTIN in managing periodontal disease.

Role of Key Pathogens in Periodontal Disease 

The study sheds light on the importance of considering periodontal disease and the role of key pathogens originating in the oral cavity. Richard Nagelberg, DDS, Director of Medical Affairs at Bausch Health, emphasized the significance of the study, stating, “This study represents an important path forward in helping to manage periodontal disease and we hope it encourages further research in the area of periodontal disease progression and how it may relate to the oral-systemic connection.”

The clinical trial, supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Science, has contributed to the existing knowledge gap regarding the impact of minocycline HCI microspheres, 1mg on specific periodontal pathogens. The results indicate a significant reduction in these pathogens, highlighting the potential benefits of minocycline application.

While the study’s findings are promising, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations. The participant pool primarily consisted of individuals from the Midwestern region, Caucasian, and over the age of 50 years, which may not be representative of the general population affected by periodontitis. Additionally, the study lacked a blinded examiner for clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures.

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