Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify novel vaginal probiotics with the potential to prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Materials and Methods: Eighteen strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were isolated from healthy Korean women, and their antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were assessed. Three strains (L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215) were selected for further investigation, focusing on their growth inhibition, biofilm regulation, and cellular mechanisms against these vaginal pathogens. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed damage to G. vaginalis induced by L.plantarum LM1215, and genomic analysis was conducted on this strain. Results: L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215 showed approximately 1 and 2 Log CFU/mL growth reduction in C. albicans and G. vaginalis, respectively. These L. plantarum strains effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eliminated the mature biofilms formed by C. albicans. Furthermore, L. plantarum LM1215 decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity by 51.75 (p<0.001) and respiratory metabolic activity by 52.88% (p<0.001) in G. vaginalis. L. plantarum induced cellular membrane damage, inhibition of protein synthesis, and cell wall collapse in G. vaginalis. Genomic analysis confirmed L. plantarum LM1215 as a safe strain for vaginal probiotics. Conclusion The L. plantarum LM1215 is considered a safe probiotic agent suitable for the prevention of VVC and BV.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify novel vaginal probiotics with the potential to prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Materials and Methods: Eighteen strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were isolated from healthy Korean women, and their antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were assessed. Three strains (L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215) were selected for further investigation, focusing on their growth inhibition, biofilm regulation, and cellular mechanisms against these vaginal pathogens. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed damage to G. vaginalis induced by L.plantarum LM1215, and genomic analysis was conducted on this strain. Results: L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215 showed approximately 1 and 2 Log CFU/mL growth reduction in C. albicans and G. vaginalis, respectively. These L. plantarum strains effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eliminated the mature biofilms formed by C. albicans. Furthermore, L. plantarum LM1215 decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity by 51.75 (p<0.001) and respiratory metabolic activity by 52.88% (p<0.001) in G. vaginalis. L. plantarum induced cellular membrane damage, inhibition of protein synthesis, and cell wall collapse in G. vaginalis. Genomic analysis confirmed L. plantarum LM1215 as a safe strain for vaginal probiotics. Conclusion The L. plantarum LM1215 is considered a safe probiotic agent suitable for the prevention of VVC and BV.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify novel vaginal probiotics with the potential to prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Materials and Methods: Eighteen strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were isolated from healthy Korean women, and their antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were assessed. Three strains (L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215) were selected for further investigation, focusing on their growth inhibition, biofilm regulation, and cellular mechanisms against these vaginal pathogens. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed damage to G. vaginalis induced by L.plantarum LM1215, and genomic analysis was conducted on this strain. Results: L. plantarum LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215 showed approximately 1 and 2 Log CFU/mL growth reduction in C. albicans and G. vaginalis, respectively. These L. plantarum strains effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eliminated the mature biofilms formed by C. albicans. Furthermore, L. plantarum LM1215 decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity by 51.75 (p<0.001) and respiratory metabolic activity by 52.88% (p<0.001) in G. vaginalis. L. plantarum induced cellular membrane damage, inhibition of protein synthesis, and cell wall collapse in G. vaginalis. Genomic analysis confirmed L. plantarum LM1215 as a safe strain for vaginal probiotics. Conclusion The L. plantarum LM1215 is considered a safe probiotic agent suitable for the prevention of VVC and BV.

Purpose: In chronic inflammatory diseases, neutrophils release NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps), web-like structures composedof DNA and citrullinated histones, to eliminate bacteria and regulate the inflammatory response. In periodontitis, NETosis acts asa crucial defense mechanism, characterized by the expression of citrullinated histones. This study aims to evaluate the impact ofage and smoking on the expression of citrullinated histones in patients with periodontitis and the feasibility of using saliva for their detection. Materials and Methods: A total of 19 patients participated in the experiment. Among them, 15 were grouped accord-ing to smoking status and age, with 5 patients assigned to each group. After clinical and radiographic examinations, blood sampleswere collected from the subjects, and serum was separated. For 4 subjects, both blood and saliva samples were collected. Thelevels of citrullinated histones in the samples were quantified using an ELISA kit, and the results were compared and statisticallyanalyzed. Results: The concentration of citrullinated histones was significantly higher in younger individuals (P < 0.05). Although the expression of citrullinated histones was higher in the smoking group compared to the non-smoking group, the difference was not statistically significant. In patients with periodontitis, the levels of citrullinated histones detected in saliva were comparable to those found in serum. Conclusion Age may be potential risk factors influencing the expression of citrullinated histones in patients with periodontitis. Additionally, saliva, which is easier to collect, could be used as a viable sample for detecting citrullinated histones in periodontitis patients.