Rapamycin rejuvenates oral health in aging mice

Periodontal disease is an age-associated disorder clinically defined by
periodontal bone loss, inflammation of the specialized tissues that
surround and support the tooth, and microbiome dysbiosis. Currently, there
is no therapy for reversing periodontal disease, and treatment is
generally restricted to preventive measures or tooth extraction. The
FDA-approved drug rapamycin slows aging and extends lifespan in multiple
organisms, including mice. Here we demonstrate that short-term treatment
with rapamycin rejuvenates the aged oral cavity of elderly mice, including
regeneration of periodontal bone, attenuation of gingival and periodontal
bone inflammation, and revertive shift of the oral microbiome toward a
more youthful composition. This provides a geroscience strategy to
potentially rejuvenate oral health and reverse periodontal disease in the
elderly.