16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of oral microbiota in rats of chronic alcohol exposure

Imbalances in oral microbiota can lead to various oral diseases and negatively impact overall health. However, the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the dynamics of oral microbial communities remain unclear. The study aims to elucidate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the dynamics of oral microbiota in rats using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group (C group) and an alcohol group (A group). Rats in the alcohol group received daily intragastric administration of alcohol for 10 weeks, while the control group received water. After 10 weeks, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Oral swabs were collected from both groups, and total DNA was extracted for high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.