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Acetaldehyde production from ethanol by oral streptococci
Johanna Kurkivuori1, Ville Salaspuro, Pertti Kaihovaara
1Research Unit of Substance Abuse Medicine, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, PL 700, 00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
Certain oral bacteria, specifically viridans group streptococci, can convert ethanol into carcinogenic acetaldehyde. This finding suggests a new mechanism contributing to oral cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cancer Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for upper digestive tract cancers.
- Acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol, is carcinogenic.
- Oral microbes are implicated in acetaldehyde production within the oral cavity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acetaldehyde-producing capability of viridans group streptococci from normal oral flora in vitro.
- To measure the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in these bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Eight clinical and eight ATCC strains of viridans group streptococci were used.
- Bacteria were incubated with ethanol (11 mM and 1100 mM).
- Acetaldehyde levels were measured using gas chromatography; ADH activity was measured via spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in acetaldehyde production and ADH activity were observed among bacterial strains.
- Streptococcus salivarius (clinical), Streptococcus intermedius (clinical and ATCC), and Streptococcus mitis (ATCC) produced high acetaldehyde levels and showed significant ADH activity.
- Twelve other strains exhibited low acetaldehyde production.
Conclusions:
- Viridans group streptococci can metabolize ethanol to carcinogenic acetaldehyde in the oral cavity.
- This microbial metabolism represents a potential novel mechanism in oral cancer pathogenesis.
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