| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oral candidiasis is a common fungal disease mainly caused by <it>Candida albicans</it>. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidins (AC-PACs) on pathogenic properties of <it>C. albicans </it>as well as on the inflammatory response of oral epithelial cells induced by this oral pathogen.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Microplate dilution assays were performed to determine the effect of AC-PACs on <it>C. albicans </it>growth as well as biofilm formation stained with crystal violet. Adhesion of FITC-labeled <it>C. albicans </it>to oral epithelial cells and to acrylic resin disks was monitored by fluorometry. The effects of AC-PACs on <it>C. albicans</it>-induced cytokine secretion, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activation and kinase phosphorylation in oral epithelial cells were determined by immunological assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although AC-PACs did not affect growth of <it>C. albicans</it>, it prevented biofilm formation and reduced adherence of <it>C. albicans </it>to oral epithelial cells and saliva-coated acrylic resin discs. In addition, AC-PACs significantly decreased the secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 by oral epithelial cells stimulated with <it>C. albicans</it>. This anti-inflammatory effect was associated with reduced activation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of specific signal intracellular kinases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AC-PACs by affecting the adherence properties of <it>C. albicans </it>and attenuating the inflammatory response induced by this pathogen represent potential novel therapeutic agents for the prevention/treatment of oral candidiasis.</p>
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