Salivary proteins in health and disease

Besides their structural catalytic and diverse regulatory functions, proteins are also precursors of many important biological compounds essential for normal functioning of humans. Many of these compounds may be used as markers for identification of specific pathological states. A comprehensive knowledge about the metabolism of salivary proteins and the mechanisms of action of their metabolites allowed the development of effective treatment for many disorders. However, it should not be forgotten that in some pathological conditions, these compounds not only could be involved in the pathogenesis but also could be used as tool in the prediction of many diseases. This paper is a review of the published literature on selected salivary proteins in the context of the physiological processes of the human body and chosen chronic disorders, such as diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, mucositis, oral mycoses and caries

A study on β\beta-defensin-2 and histatin-5 as a diagnostic marker of early childhood caries progression

Background: Recently, a continuous growth of interest has been observed in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the light of an alarming increase in resistance of bacteria and fungi against antibiotics. AMPs are used as biomarkers in diagnosis and monitoring of oral cavity pathologies. Therefore, the determination of specific protein profiles in children diagnosed with early childhood caries (ECC) might be a basis for effective screening tests and specialized examinations which may enable progression of disease. Methods: The objective of the studies was to determine the role of histatin-5 and $\beta$-defensing-2 as a diagnostic marker of early childhood caries progression. In this work, results of concentration determination of two salivary proteins (histatin-5 and $\beta$-defensin-2) were presented. In addition, bacterial profiles from dental plaque in various stages of ECC and control were marked. The assessment of alteration in the concentration of these two proteins in a study group of children with various stages of ECC and a control group consisting of children with no symptoms was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the concentration of histatin-5 and $\beta$-defensin-2 in the study group compared to the control group and correlated with the progression of the disease. Conclusions: The confirmation of concentration changes in these proteins during the progression of dental caries may discover valuable disease progression biomarkers

Methods of biotyping of Streptococcus mutans : species with the routine test as a prognostic value in early childhood caries

Purpose. In order to investigate the suitability of Streptococcus mutans species biotyping by measuring the activity of selected enzymes from a commercial test, criteria were established for biotyping clinical strains from children with dental caries. In addition, the relationships between the selected biotypes, sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics, and early childhood caries were determined. Methods. A total of 142 S. mutans isolates from dental plaque of children with caries were divided into different biotypes. Patients were divided into two groups: noncavitated (1-2 in ICDAS) and cavitated (5-6 in ICDAS) lesions. Biotyping criteria were determined based on both the arbitrary method and the clusterization method. The susceptibility of the strains to amoxicillin, cefazolin, erythromycin, and teicoplanin was studied by diluting a solid medium. Results. Biotype I was the most common. Mean MIC values showed that the strains belonging to biotypes II and IV were the most sensitive to amoxicillin. For predetermined biotypes, observed differences were dependent on the severity of dental caries. Conclusions. The proposed method of S. mutans strains biotyping is relatively quick and simple to use, provided the application of suitable biotyping criteria, and may contribute to the effective prevention of dental caries induced by S. mutans

In vitro evaluation of poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) membrane

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the properties of a new membrane dedicated for the treatment of bone defects in periodontology according to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique. The first part of this study was to prepare the membrane from resorbable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and verify its microstructure. Biological evaluation was lead using the cells interesting from the point of view of GTR, e.g. human fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). It was found that the obtained membrane has asymmetric microstructure and defined pore size. Cell culture experiments show that the membrane is biocompatible with fibroblasts and hMSC. Both types of cell proliferated well on the membrane. HMSC cultured on the membrane exhibited better osteogenic differentiation and higher mineralization as compared to control tissue culture polystyrene

Manufacturing and characterization of resorbable PLGA membranes for biomedical applications

Porous poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) membranes were prepared by solvent-casting/porogen leaching method. Poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG) with two molecular weights was used as a pore former. Mechanical properties of the membranes were analyzed in tensile test. Topography, pore size and surface roughness were characterized by atomic force microscopy on both sites of the membranes. PEG leached out percentage, thickness and wettability were also measured. Osteoblast-like cells were cultured on the membranes for 24 h and 6 days, and morphology, distribution and number of adhered cells as well as secretion of proteins and nitric oxide were measured. The results show that PEG molecular weight affected size and distribution of pores on both surfaces of the membranes. It resulted also in different mechanical characteristics of the membranes. In vitro experiments show that the membranes support adhesion and growth of osteoblast-like cells suggesting their usefulness for guided tissue regeneration (GTR)

Effects of enamel fluoridation and air polishing on adhesion of orthodontic brackets

Celem badań było określenie zależności wytrzymałości złącza zamek ortodontyczny/szkliwo od trzech sposobów przygotowania powierzchni zęba do przyklejania zamka oraz określenie ryzyka uszkodzenia szkliwa w przypadku oderwania zamka. Materiałem do badań było 27 nieuszkodzonych zębów przedtrzonowych, usuniętych ze wskazań ortodontycznych, które zostały losowo podzielono na 3 grupy i odpowiednio przygotowano poprzez: fluoryzację (grupa A), piaskowanie (grupa B) natomiast zęby z grupy C zostały użyte bez żadnych specjalnych zabiegów. Następnie metalowe zamki zostały przytwierdzone do policzkowych powierzchni zębów. Tak przygotowane próbki zostały zamoczone na okres dwóch tygodni w roztworze soli fizjologicznej o temperaturze 37oC a następnie poddane działaniu sił ścinających przy pomocy uniwersalnej maszyny wytrzymałościowej. Potem powierzchnie zamków i szkliwa zębów były obserwowane za pomocą mikroskopu stereoskopowego. Zauważono, że średnia wytrzymałość na zrywanie była najwyższa dla zębów oczyszczonych przy pomocy piaskowania (grupa B) a najniższa dla zębów poddanych fluoryzacji (grupa A). Znaczące różnice zauważono także na powierzchniach zamków i zębów: z grupy A prawie całe spoiwo pozostało na zamkach, podczas gdy dla grup B i C spoiwo pozostało zarówno zamkach jak i na szkliwie. Nie zaobserwowano żadnych ubytków na powierzchni szkliwa. Wyniki badań wskazują, że piaskowanie powierzchni zęba jest sposobem gwarantującym przenoszenie największych obciążeń poprzez przyklejony zamek ortodontyczny.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three surface preparations of human enamel on shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to enamel, and to determine the risk of enamel damage after debonding. In the experiment, 27human premolars extracted for orthodontic reason, were divided into 3 groups and submitted to: fluoridation (group A), air polishing (group B), while group C was used without any special treatment. Afterwards metal brackets were bonded to the labial surfaces of the teeth. After soaking of the samples in physiological saline for 2 weeks at 37oC the brackets were debonded with the use of a universal testing machine to measure shear bond strength. After debonding the enamel and brackets surfaces were observed under stereomicroscope. It was found that the mean bond strength of the brackets was the highest for the teeth which enamel was air-polished (group B), while the lowest for the teeth submitted to fluoridation (group A). There were significant differences in the morphology of the adhesive remaining on the enamel and the bracket: for group A almost the whole adhesive remained on the brackets, while for group B and C adhesive was observed on both brackets and enamel. No enamel damage caused by debonding was observed. The results show that air-polishing is the best method to prepare the surface of the enamel to achieve the highest retention of the orthodontic brackets

Relationship between Pyruvate Kinase Activity and Cariogenic Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus mutans Biotypes in Caries Patients

Streptococcus mutans (MS) and its biotype I are the strains most frequently found in dental plaque of young children. Our results indicate that in children pyruvate kinase (PK) activity increases significantly in dental plaque, and this corresponds with caries progression. The MS strains isolated in this study or their main glycolytic metabolism connected with PK enzymes might be useful risk factors for studying the pathogenesis and target points of novel therapies for dental caries. The relationship between PK activity, cariogenic biofilm formation and selected biotypes occurrence was studied. S. mutans dental plaque samples were collected from supragingival plaque of individual deciduous molars in 143 subjects. PK activity was measured at different time points during biofilm formation. Patients were divided into two groups: initial stage decay, and extensive decay. Non-parametric analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used to determine the connections between S. mutans levels, PK activity and dental caries biotypes. A total of 143 strains were derived from subjects with caries. Biotyping data showed that 62, 23, 50, and 8 strains were classified as biotypes I, II, III, IV, respectively. PK activity in biotypes I, II, and IV was significantly higher in comparison to that in biotype III. The correlation between the level of S. mutans in dental plaque and PK activity was both statistically significant (p < 0.05) and positive. The greater the level of S. mutans in the biofilm (colony count and total biomass), the higher the PK activity; similarly, a low bacterial count correlated with low PK activity

Wpływ czynników socjoekonomicznych i żywieniowych na rozwój próchnicy wczesnej u dzieci w wieku 1-6 lat

Introduction. The high incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) highlights the need to analyze the causes. Aim. Evaluation of the impact of diet and socioeconomic conditions on the risk of ECC development in children. Material and methods. A group of 686 pediatric patients aged 1-6 from the University Dental Clinic in Krakow was examined for caries. The parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on the eating habits of children and on the sociodemographic factors. Results. Children aged 1-2 from rural areas and average education of parents constituted a significant factor affecting the intensity of ECC. Consumption of sugary foods at night increased the occurrence of caries by more than 3.5 times in 1–2-year-olds, and by 4 times in 5-year-olds. Frequent consumption of fruit juices and carbonated beverages had a significant impact on the occurrence of caries in 6-year-olds. Conclusions. Dietary pattern is a major cause of ECC. The relationship between ECC and the place of residence, low parental education and poor economic status indicates the target group for intensive educational activities for the prevention of dental caries