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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Probiotics and Tetracycline Improve Periodontitis in Diabetics

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated July 22, 2026

Key finding

IL1β levels decreased significantly from baseline (275.22) to six weeks (145.60) with p < 0.001.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of probiotics and tetracycline fibers as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis, finding significant reductions in inflammatory markers and periodontal indices.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the effectiveness of probiotics and tetracycline fibers as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis, finding significant reductions in inflammatory markers and periodontal indices.

Clinical relevance

Improving periodontal health in patients with diabetes is crucial, as periodontitis can exacerbate diabetes complications. This study suggests that integrating probiotics and tetracycline fibers into periodontal treatment may lead to better health outcomes, potentially reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short follow-up period may not capture long-term effects. Potential confounding factors not controlled for.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Alexander M, John RA, Pranavi G, Rekha RK. Evaluation of Probiotics and Tetracycline Fibers as Adjuncts to Scaling and Root Planing in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Periodontitis. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e50968. doi:10.7759/cureus.50968

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

IL1β levels decreased significantly from baseline (275.22 pg/mL) to six weeks (145.60 pg/mL) with p < 0.001.

Plaque index decreased significantly from baseline (1.33) to 12 weeks (0.33) with p < 0.01.

Gingival index decreased significantly from baseline (1.50) to 12 weeks (0.17) with p < 0.01.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Probiotics, Tetracycline fibers and Gingival Index (GI), Interleukin-1 beta levels change, Periodontal probing depth, and 1 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Probiotics

Outcome

Gingival Index (GI)

Evidence topic

Probiotics and Synbiotics

Primary intervention

Probiotics

Primary outcomes

  • Gingival Index (GI)
  • Interleukin-1 beta levels change
  • Periodontal probing depth

Evidence topics

Probiotics and Synbiotics

Primary intervention

Probiotics

Primary outcomes

Gingival Index (GI)Interleukin-1 beta levels changePeriodontal probing depth

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

8
Evidence pairs
8
Relationships
1
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 59

1

Related topics

8

Evidence pairs

18

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 1 direct semantic evidence topic

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Probiotics and Synbiotics

matched_intervention

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Gingival Index (GI)

Probiotics → Gingival Index (GI)

Probiotics → Gingival Index (GI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Probiotics → Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Probiotics → Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Periodontal probing depth

Probiotics → Periodontal probing depth

Probiotics → Periodontal probing depth

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Plaque Index (PI)

Probiotics → Plaque Index (PI)

Probiotics → Plaque Index (PI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Gingival Index (GI)

Tetracycline fibers → Gingival Index (GI)

Tetracycline fibers → Gingival Index (GI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Tetracycline fibers → Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Tetracycline fibers → Interleukin-1 beta levels change

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Periodontal probing depth

Tetracycline fibers → Periodontal probing depth

Tetracycline fibers → Periodontal probing depth

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Plaque Index (PI)

Tetracycline fibers → Plaque Index (PI)

Tetracycline fibers → Plaque Index (PI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • IL1β levels showed a significant decrease of -129.63 pg/mL (p < 0.001).
  • Plaque index improved by -1 index point (p < 0.01).
  • Gingival index decreased by -1.33 index points (p < 0.01).
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults aged 30-65 with type 2 diabetes.
  • Patients diagnosed with periodontitis.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to non-diabetic populations.
  • Further studies needed to confirm long-term benefits.
  • Variability in individual responses to probiotics and tetracycline fibers.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short follow-up period may not capture long-term effects.
  • Potential confounding factors not controlled for.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Probiotics and Synbiotics and Gingival Index (GI), Probiotics and Synbiotics and Interleukin-1 beta levels change.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Probiotics improve gingival index (gi)?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics appears to improve Gingival Index (GI).

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Gingival Index (GI)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Probiotics improve interleukin-1 beta levels change?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics appears to improve Interleukin-1 beta levels change.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Interleukin-1 beta levels change

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Probiotics improve periodontal probing depth?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics appears to improve Periodontal probing depth.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Periodontal probing depth

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Probiotics improve plaque index (pi)?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics appears to improve Plaque Index (PI).

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Plaque Index (PI)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence
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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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Probiotics and Synbiotics Evidence Hub

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All studies on Probiotics and Interleukin-1 beta levels changeAll studies on Tetracycline fibers and Interleukin-1 beta levels changeAll studies on Probiotics and Gingival Index (GI)All studies on Probiotics and Periodontal probing depth

Related research

Read related research summaries.

Additional toothbrushing improves oral health in type 2 diabetes patientsLifestyle changes plus probiotic use were linked with better HbA1c in one man with type 2 diabetesProbiotic supplementation improves β-cell function in type 2 diabetesCoenzyme Q10 improves periodontal health in diabetic patientsGut microbiota interventions may improve glucose and cardiometabolic markers in type 2 diabetes

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