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This review updates the current knowledge on nutrient supplements, which are reported as effective in maintaining the health of periodontal tissues or preventing diseases, as a complementary therapy to existing periodontal treatments. The latest meta-analysis reported that green tea component might be used as a complementary method to existing periodontal treatments. New multifunctional food-derived components such as rice- and soybean-derived proteins and amino acids have also been reported recently. Several previous reports describe that nutritional supplements may help bacterial control and host immune regulation based on cellular or animal experiments, but evidence regarding most nutritional supplements is still insufficient to apply for prevention or treatment of periodontal disease. Complementary use of green tea extract, including catechin, potentially controlling the symptoms of periodontal disease combined with existing therapies could be beneficial, although randomized clinical trials and larger cohort studies are required properly.

TRPV1 is a Ca(2+)-permeable channel studied mostly as a pain receptor in sensory neurons. However, its role in other cell types is poorly understood. Here we found that TRPV1 was functionally expressed in CD4(+) T cells, where it acted as a non-store-operated Ca(2+) channel and contributed to T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-induced Ca(2+) influx, TCR signaling and T cell activation. In models of T cell-mediated colitis, TRPV1 promoted colitogenic T cell responses and intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of TRPV1 in human CD4(+) T cells recapitulated the phenotype of mouse Trpv1(-/-) CD4(+) T cells. Our findings suggest that inhibition of TRPV1 could represent a new therapeutic strategy for restraining proinflammatory T cell responses.