ニュース

2024年7月23日

アニコム ホールディングス株式会社

Anicom Begins Recruitment for ‘Joint Research on the Prevention of All Diseases, Including Cancer’
Periodontal disease-related bacteria have been detected in the gut microbiota of dogs. Importantly, the prevalence of nearly all diseases increased in the group where these bacteria were detected.

Anicom Holdings, Inc. (Shinjuku, Tokyo; President: Nobuaki Komori; hereafter referred to as “the Company”) is pleased to announce that, based on the results of a study conducted by our group on the relationship between oral and gut health and the risk of cancer in dogs (hereafter referred to as “the Study”), our subsidiary, Anicom Insurance, Inc. (hereafter referred to as “Anicom Insurance”), has begun recruiting participants for a ‘Joint Research on the Prevention of All Diseases, Including Cancer.’ The joint research will explore the potential of oral care in preventing cancer and other diseases and will contribute to further research and the promotion of cancer prevention in pets and humans alike. In addition to oral care, we will also promote other initiatives aimed at the prevention of all diseases, including cancer.

The study was conducted on dogs insured with Anicom Insurance. The results revealed a close relationship between the oral and gut health of dogs and the prevalence of nearly all diseases, including cancer. The findings were presented at the “78th Annual Academic Assembly of Japanese Stomatological Society,” held on July 20.

▶ Click here for the conference presentation materials(Japanese)

At least one type of periodontal disease-related bacteria^※1 was found in 12% of the gut microbiota of dogs examined. If these periodontal bacteria were considered beneficial to the gut microbiota, the gut would accept these bacteria as beneficial bacteria in large quantities along with saliva, and would likely be detected in almost 100% of cases. However, in this study, they were found in only 12% of the cases. This suggests that the body’s immune system identifies these periodontal bacteria as harmful, thus keeping the detection rate low at 12%.

※1 Periodontal disease-related bacteria: Refers to 20 types of bacteria identified by our group’s lab as being potentially related to periodontal disease, based on insurance claim data from Anicom Insurance and data from the Animal Wellness Program (gut flora analysis).

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the presence of periodontal disease-related bacteria in the gut and the incidence of insurance claims. The results revealed that dogs harboring these bacteria in their gut had a higher insurance claim rate (indicating a higher susceptibility to illness) across all age groups. Furthermore, when periodontal bacteria were detected in the gut microbiota, the prevalence of 11 out of 15 disease categories※2—approximately 73% of diseases—increased across all age groups. This suggests that periodontal disease may indeed be a root cause of many illnesses in dogs.

This finding parallels the discovery by Professors Robin Warren and Barry Marshall of the University of Western Australia, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005 for identifying Helicobacter pylori as the cause of gastritis and gastric ulcers※３. The relationship between orally ingested H. pylori and gastric diseases is thought to be similar to the relationship between periodontal bacteria entering the gut via the digestive tract and the prevalence of various diseases, as highlighted in this study.

※2 11 out of the 15 disease categories defined by Anicom for pet insurance observed an increase in prevalence. These 11 categories include gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, blood and immune system diseases, urinary diseases, eye and accessory organ diseases, systemic diseases, dental and oral diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, endocrine diseases, hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, and neurological diseases.

※3 Helicobacter pylori discovery: Although the presence of H. pylori in the stomach had been suggested, it was previously believed that the bacterium could not survive due to the stomach’s strong acid environment. Professors Warren and Marshall ingested H. pylori to replicate the onset of gastritis in their own bodies and successfully detected the bacteria in biopsy samples from ulcerated areas. They later confirmed that H. pylori was absent from the previously infected sites after the gastritis healed. This discovery adheres to Koch’s postulates, which state that a specific microorganism must be found in all cases of a disease, can be isolated, can cause the same disease when introduced into a susceptible host, and can be re-isolated from the newly infected host.

It is widely recognized that immunity is crucial for disease prevention, but until now, there has been no objective measure to evaluate immunity. Therefore, the discovery of gut microbiota diversity as a parameter related to disease prevalence represents a successful attempt to quantify a part of immunity.

Dogs that were diagnosed with periodontal disease in the previous year had lower diversity in the gut microbiota than dogs that had not been diagnosed with periodontal disease.

A study was conducted investigating the relationship between gut environment condition, the presence of periodontal disease-related bacteria, and insurance data on 10 dog breeds (American Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Corgi Pembroke, Golden Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Beagle, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, and Labrador Retriever) with neoplastic disease insurance claims rates of over 10%. These ten breeds had the highest number of claims for neoplastic disease from the top 30 breeds insured by Anicom Insurance. These results show that in all age groups, dogs with a “poor gut environment and had the presence of periodontal bacteria” had a higher prevalence of neoplastic diseases compared to dogs with a “good gut environment and absence of periodontal bacteria.”

（１）Composition of Food and Components Delivered to the Gut

Food is primarily composed of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (which include sugars and fiber). Proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down and absorbed by digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. As a result, the main component of feces in the large intestine is indigestible fiber.

（２）Types of Bacteria and Their “Diet”

①Gut Bacteria Are Mostly “Vegetarian”: As mentioned earlier, the contents that reach the large intestine are primarily indigestible fibers. Many gut bacteria thrive on these fibers, making them akin to vegetarians since their primary food source is plant-based fiber.

②Periodontal Disease Bacteria Are “Carnivorous”: Periodontal bacteria produce proteases that break down proteins in periodontal tissues and blood, which they use for growth and to advance periodontal disease. These bacteria also generate toxic compounds like hydrogen sulfide, which can have harmful effects on the host. Therefore, periodontal disease bacteria can be described as aggressive, carnivorous bacteria with a significant negative impact on the host organism.

（３）Mechanisms by Which Periodontal Disease Bacteria Contribute to Various Diseases

The mechanisms by which periodontal disease can lead to various illnesses are said to be the following three:
　Ⅰ　Through Local Inflammation of Periodontal Disease Itself
　Ⅱ　Through Hematogenous, Lymphatic, and Neural Pathways
　Ⅲ　Through Saliva Affecting the Respiratory and Digestive Systems
It was previously thought that bacteria from the oral cavity were rarely able to reach the intestines because, as with Helicobacter pylori, they would be killed by stomach acid. In reality, gut microbiota exist in humans, dogs, and cats, and the intestines are not sterile. This means that not all bacteria are killed by stomach acid; a certain amount can invade the digestive tract, including the large intestine.

In this study, it was found that the presence of periodontal disease-related bacteria in the gut is associated with an increased prevalence of various diseases. Periodontal bacteria are troublesome because they form biofilms and, like Helicobacter pylori, may bypass stomach acid to invade the intestines, potentially causing various diseases. This has been epidemiologically demonstrated.

In response to the results of this study, our company will initiate a ‘Joint Research on the Prevention of All Diseases, Including Cancer’ for both pets and humans (hereinafter referred to as “this collaborative research”) and will be recruiting participants. The planned activities for this collaborative research include the following:

（１）Activities (Main Focus): Verification of Disease Prevention Through Oral Care

・We will verify the effectiveness of preventing all diseases, including cancer, through the recommendation and practice of appropriate oral care. This research will advance studies on disease prevention for both pets and humans, including cancer.
・We will collaborate not only with veterinary hospitals but also with medical professionals to promote the use of oral care products such as MA-TⓇ-containing “CRYSTAL JOY” for pets, with the goal of advancing oral care for humans as well.

（２）Participants

・Individuals interested in the prevention of all diseases, including cancer.
・Those who can jointly advance research on prevention.

※Participation is possible at the level of medical institutions, dental clinics, or as individuals such as doctors, dentists, dental hygienists, and nurses.

（３）How to Participate

①Veterinary Hospitals
・Support this collaborative research initiative and assist in awareness and education efforts.
・Contribute to the pet sector through health checks and by recommending dental care products to pet owners.
②Medical Institutions and Dental Clinics (Choose one of the following options)
（ⅰ）Support this collaborative research initiative and assist in awareness and education efforts only.
（ⅱ）Support this collaborative research initiative and assist in awareness and education efforts.
＋Contribute to the pet sector through health checks and by recommending dental care products to pet owners.

（４）Cost Sharing

There is no cost for participating in this collaborative research. If patents or similar intellectual property are obtained through the research activities, patent fees will be distributed according to the contribution to the invention, as determined by the secretariat.

（５）How to Apply

Please access the following form and fill in the required information:
https://service.anicom.co.jp/fm/pub/pr/kyodokenkyu

●Comments from Doctors Who Have Expressed Their Intent to Participate in This Collaborative Research

（１）Ease of Intervention Trials with a Strong Focus on Animal Welfare

Experimental animals are not ideal models for the natural onset of diseases and require careful consideration from an animal welfare perspective. However, many diseases common in humans are also prevalent in dogs, and the time to onset is shorter, making dogs suitable for large-scale intervention trials for almost all diseases, including periodontal disease. Additionally, intervention trials can be conducted with minimal additional economic burden on pet owners.
Historically, humans have repeatedly used inbreeding to seek desirable traits in animals, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity and creating modern pets that are more susceptible to various diseases. By focusing on these issues and exploring genetic breeding (breeding that takes genetic factors into account, leading to healthier pets), oral care, and diet through intervention trials, we aim to not only improve the health of our beloved animals but also promote animal welfare itself.

（２）Ease of Preventive Research

Humans have high genetic diversity and numerous confounding factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and relationship stress, making it challenging to explore congenital and environmental factors important in preventive research. In contrast, dogs have lower genetic diversity due to inbreeding and fewer confounding factors, such as a more uniform diet and fewer relationship-related stresses, making them an optimal subject for preventive research.

（３）Reducing Diseases by Understanding Onset Mechanisms in Dogs

Although dogs are genetically predisposed to certain diseases, two main factors are thought to contribute to the prevalence of various diseases in dogs: not having a habit of brushing teeth regularly leading to systemic and chronic inflammation, and a diet that does not activate the immune system or contribute to intestinal bacterial diversity. Additionally, dogs often develop diseases at a younger age and at higher rates compared to humans. Understanding the factors contributing to disease onset in dogs is likely to contribute significantly to reducing diseases.

Medicine up to the present day has been focused on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The remarkable advancements in diagnostic and treatment technologies have significantly extended human lifespans. Looking ahead, however, the key area of importance is expected to be “prevention.” In particular, the prevention of cancer—a challenge that affects both humans and animals—is becoming a critical issue in countries experiencing increased longevity.
Furthermore, establishing preventive medicine requires the quantification of “immunity.” Our research has led to the discovery of the diversity of gut bacteria as a correlate of disease prevalence, which we believe represents a successful partial quantification of immunity in dogs.
Although there are significant differences between humans and dogs that make direct application difficult, the fact that we have managed to quantify immunity in certain animals suggests that similar possibilities may exist for humans. We hope to involve professionals from various fields in this collaborative research to further advance “preventive medicine” in both human and veterinary healthcare.